HANDBOOK  OF 

SPRINKLER  DEVICES 


BY 

GORHAM   DANA,   S.B. 

MANAGER,  THE  UNDERWRITERS'  BUREAU  OF  NEW  ENGLAND, 
BOSTON,  MASSACHUSETTS 


PUBLISHED  BY 

THOMAS    GROOM    &   CO.,    INC. 

105   STATE   STREET,    BOSTON 
1914 


x* 


COPYRIGHT,  1914, 

BY 
GORHAM   DANA 


Stanhope  [press 

F.    H.  GILSON   COMPANY 
BOSTON,  U.S.A. 


PREFACE 


BELIEVING  that  a  description  of  all  the  automatic 
sprinkler  devices  that  are  liable  to  be  found  in  the  field 
would  be  of  service  to  fire  insurance  inspectors  and  others, 
the  author  presents  herein  four  chapters  from  his  book  on 
Automatic  Sprinkler  Protection  in  handbook  form. 

These  chapters  cover  the  following  subjects:  Alarm 
Valves,  Dry  Valves,  Sprinkler  Supervisory  Systems  and 
Automatic  Sprinklers.  The  chapter  on  the  latter  subject 
contains  several  references  to  previous  pages  for  a  further 
description  of  certain  devices.  These  page  numbers  refer 
to  pages  in  the  complete  volume  to  which  the  reader  is 
referred  for  a  more  extended  treatise  on  the  subject. 

While  the  subject  matter  may  be  somewhat  incomplete 
and  disconnected  when  published  in  this  form  it  is  hoped 
that  it  may  prove  useful  to  the  field  man  as  a  reference 
book. 

GORHAM  DANA. 

April,  1914. 


CHAPTER  I 
ALARM   VALVES 

An  alarm  valve  is  a  very  inexpensive  and  valuable 
addition  to  the  fire  protection  in  a  sprinklered  risk  and 
is  strongly  advised  for  every  equipment.  It  consists 
of  a  device  which  is  installed  in  the  main  sprinkler  riser 
and  is  arranged  to  actuate  some  form  of  alarm  as  soon 
as  water  flows  through  the  system.  These  alarms  are 
of  two  types:  rotary  gongs,  operated  like  water  wheels, 
by  the  passage  of  water  through  them;  and  electric 
gongs,  operated  by  the  movement  of  a  check  valve  or 
by  the  closing  of  an  electric  circuit  through  the  action 
of  water  pressure  on  a  diaphragm.  Alarm  valves  are 
valuable  for  two  reasons:  they  give  an  alarm  when 
sprinklers  open  on  account  of  fire,  thus  acting  as  a  fire 
alarm;  and  they  give  warning  in  case  of  flowage  through 
the  system  for  other  causes  such  as  a  broken  pipe,  open- 
ing sprinkler  head,  etc.  For  the  latter  reason  they  are 
of  great  importance  from  a  sprinkler  leakage  point  of 
view,  and  most  companies  insuring  against  this  form 
of  loss  require  either  an  alarm  valve  in  the  system  or 
standard  watchman's  service  in  the  risk  insured. 

TYPES 

There  are  two  principal  types  of  alarm  valves  that 
have  been  successfully  used.  In  one  a  check  valve  is 
placed  in  the  main  water  pipe  and  the  movement  of  the 
clapper  when  water  begins  to  flow,  transmitted  usually 
through  a  packed  stem,  is  used  to  actuate  the  alarm. 
In  the  other  type  a  check  valve  is  also  used  and  this, 
when  in  its  normal  position,  closes  an  outlet  to  a  small 

1 


:2t-  *;> AUTOMATIC 'SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

pipe  running  to  the  alarm  devices.  This  is  accomplished 
by  having  the  small  pipe  run  from  a  groove  in  the  valve 
seat,  a  horn  in  the  water  way  or  an  auxiliary  valve  out- 
side the  main  water  way.  In  any  type,  a  retarding  or 
interrupting  element  should  be  used  to  retard  the  alarm 
long  enough  so  that  water  hammer  will  not  produce  a 
false  alarm. 

The  early  valves  were  of  the  first  type  and  usually 
had  no  retarding  element.  The  most  common  variety 
was  that  using  a  swing  check  with  an  arm  attached 
which  extended  through  a  stuffing  box  to  a  lever  on  the 
outside.  This  lever  was  so  arranged  that  when  it  was 
moved  forward  by  the  opening  of  the  check,  a  mechanical 
gong  was  tripped  or  an  electrical  circuit  connected  to  a 
bell  was  completed. 

This  was  a  very  crude  form  of  alarm  valve  and  par- 
ticularly defective  in  the  following  points: 

1.  Sticking  of  the  packed  stem.     The  packing  used  to 
make  a  tight  joint  often  caused  the  stem  to  stick  owing 
to  its  age  or  to  its  being  packed  too  tightly.     In  many 
cases  this  sticking  was  great  enough  to  cause  a  serious 
menace  to  the  equipment  by  obstructing  the  water  way. 

2.  Susceptibility  to  false  alarms.     Any  valve  of  this 
character,  having  no  retarding  element,  is  very  liable  to 
give  false  alarms  from  water  hammer.     A  slight  impulse 
in  the  water  would  force  the  clapper  off  its  seat  and  would 
probably  give  an  alarm  if  the  device  was  adjusted  to 
operate  for  small  flows. 

3.  Lack  of  sensitiveness.     Where  the  movement  of  a 
large  check  valve  is  used  to  give  an  alarm  it  is  evident 
that  the  amount  of  water  necessary  to  feed  one  sprinkler 
head  would  only  open  the  valve  a  very  small  amount. 
It  is  therefore  very  difficult  to  adjust  the  device  so  that 
it  will  operate  for  small  flows  caused  by  the  opening  of 
one  or  even  two  heads. 

4.  The  valves  were  liable  to  stick  open.     This  was 


ALARM  VALVES  3 

especially  the  case  where  the  lever  was  weighted  so  that 
when  it  started  to  move  the  weight  would  carry  the 
clapper  over  to  the  wide  open  position. 

In  addition  to  the  above  the  electrical  and  mechanical 
gongs  used  at  this  time  were  crude  and  unreliable.  The 
mechanical  gongs  had  to  be  rewound  each  time  they 
operated  and  this  was  frequently  forgotten.  Valves  of 
this  type  have  not  been  installed  to  any  extent  for  many 
years  and  but  few  are  now  found  in  the  field. 

HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

In  1881  Mr.  J.  C.  Meloon  of  Providence  patented  an 
alarm  valve  of  the  vertical  check  type  in  which  the  move- 
ment of  the  clapper  operated  an  auxiliary  valve  which 
admitted  water  from  below  the  check  valve  to  a  cham- 
ber. The  water  pressure  in  the  chamber  actuated  a 
diaphragm  which,  when  it  moved,  tripped  the  catch  of 
a  mechanical  alarm. 

In  1884  Mr.  Charles  E.  Buell  patented  a  valve  of  the 
packed  stem  type  in  which  the  lever  attached  to  a  swing 
check  started  a  train  of  clockwork  actuated  by  a  weight. 
This  rang  a  mechanical  gong.  The  Walworth  Manu- 
facturing Co.  also  made  some  valves  of  this  general 
type. 

Another  of  the  early  valves  of  this  type  was  the  Neu. 
This  was  a  vertical  check  valve  seating  like  a  globe 
valve  on  a  horizontal  seat.  A  spindle  extended  through 
a  stuffing  box  at  the  top  and  closed  an  electrical  contact 
when  the  clapper  was  raised  by  the  flowage  of  water. 
This  had  practically  all  the  defects  of  the  swing  check 
type  except  the  liability  to  stick  open. 

The  Grinnell  Angle  Alarm,  so-called,  was  somewhat 
similar  to  the  Neu.  It  was  a  vertical  check  of  the  angle 
type.  A  rod  attached  to  the  lower  side  of  the  check 
valve  contained  a  groove,  and  a  horizontal  pin  passing 
through  a  stuffing  box  to  the  outside  of  the  casing  rested 


4  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

in  this  groove.  When  the  valve  opened  the  pin  was 
pushed  a  short  distance  forward  thus  making  an  elec- 
trical connection  or  tripping  a  mechanical  gong. 

This  valve  was  an  improvement  over  the  old  swing 
check  as  it  was  less  subject  to  false  alarms.  The  valve 
could  lift  slightly  without  giving  an  alarm  and  there 
was  less  chance  of  sticking.  Like  the  older  valve,  how- 
ever, it  had  no  retarding  element  and  was  difficult  to 
adjust  so  as  to  be  sensitive  to  small  flows  and  at  the 
same  time  not  to  be  subject  to  false  alarms. 

In  1888  Messrs.  R.  Dowson  and  J.  Taylor  of  Bolton, 
England,  patented  in  this  country  the  well-known  Eng- 
lish Alarm  Valve.  This  was  manufactured  by  the  Gen- 
eral Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  for  many  years  and  is  still 
used  in  a  slightly  modified  form.  It  is  also  the  basis  of 
several  other  valves  and  embodies  perhaps  the  most 
successful  principle  that  has  ever  been  used  in  alarm 
valve  construction.  It  consisted  of  a  vertical  check 
valve  having  a  grooved  seat.  A  pipe  extended  from 
the  groove  to  a  rotary  gong  actuated  by  the  flow  of  water. 
When  the  valve  was  seated,  the  groove  was  tightly  cov- 
ered by  the  clapper  and  no  water  could  escape.  When 
the  valve  was  raised  by  flowage  in  the  system,  the  water 
entered  the  groove  and  flowed  to  the  water  rotary  gong. 

In  the  original  valve  there  was  no  retarding  chamber 
and  the  valve  was  therefore  somewhat  subject  to  false 
alarms  from  water  hammer.  There  was,  however,  a 
small  compensating  valve  located  in  the  main  check 
valve  which  allowed  water  in  small  quantities  to  pass 
upwards  through  the  alarm  valve  but  not  back  again. 
This  was  installed  to  prevent  trouble  from  water  ham- 
mer by  building  up  an  excess  pressure  in  the  system 
above  the  main  check  valve. 

The  same  year  (1888)  Mr.  Frederick  Grinnell  patented 
a  very  ingenious  device  which,  however,  was  never  put 
on  the  market  so  far  as  known.  The  principle  involved 


ALARM   VALVES  5 

was  apparently  a  very  effective  one  for  preventing  false 
alarms  from  water  hammer  although  in  case  it  failed  to 
work  properly  it  completely  blocked  the  water  way. 

It  consisted  of  a  double  or  balanced  valve  comprising 
two  self-packing  pistons  h  —  h  located  several  inches 
apart  and  connected  by  a  rod  running  in  a  guide.  The 
pipe  from  the  water  supply  b'  was  connected  between 


GRINNELL  ALARM  DEVICE  1888. 
(Section.) 

the  two  pistons,  when  in  their  normal  position,  so  that 
there  was  an  equal  pressure  on  each,  thus  balancing  the 
valve. 

The  cylinder  in  which  these  two  pistons  could  move 
horizontally  was  connected  at  one  end  to  the  sprinkler 
riser  and  at  the  other  end  to  a  pocket  63  normally  full 
of  water.  A  rod  i  connected  with  the  pistons  extended 
through  the  pocket  and  a  stuffing  box  to  the  outside  of 
the  casting.  Here  it  came  in  contact  with  a  valve  sup- 
plying a  steam  whistle.  A  small  by-pass  k  extended 
around  the  two  pistons  of  the  alarm  valve  connecting  the 
sprinkler  riser  with  the  pocket.  In  this  by-pass  was  a 
three-way  cock  I  which  when  in  its  normal  position  left 
a  free  way  through  the  by-pass,  thus  equalizing  the 
water  pressure  in  the  riser  and  in  the  pocket. 


6  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

This  three-way  cock  was  connected  to  a  lever  arm  m 
actuated  by  a  flexible  diaphragm  o  and  connected  by  a 
short  piece  of  pipe  to  the  riser.  When  in  normal  posi- 
tion the  two  pistons  spanned  the  inlet  pipe  and  pre- 
vented any  flow  of  water  into  the  riser.  Any  water 
hammer  or  variation  in  pressure  acted  equally  on  both 
pistons  and  gave  no  alarm.  When,  however,  a  sprinkler 
operated  the  pressure  in  the  riser  was  reduced.  This 
caused  the  diaphragm  to  drop,  thus  moving  the  lever 
downward  and  changing  the  position  of  the  three-way 
cock  so  as  to  close  the  by-pass  but  open  a  passage  from 
the  pocket  to  a  waste  pipe.  This  relieved  the  pressure 
in  the  pocket  thus  causing  the  two  pistons  to  move  in 
that  direction  to  the  limit  of  their  travel.  This  opened 
the  main  water  way  from  the  supply  pipe  into  the  riser 
and  at  the  same  time  operated  the  steam  whistle. 

The  International  valve  was  of  a  somewhat  similar  prin- 
ciple to  the  English  Alarm  valve.  Instead  of  a  grooved 
seat,  however,  a  horn  was  used.  This  horn  extended 
from  outside  the  casing  to  the  under  side  of  the  main 
clapper  of  a  swinging  check  valve.  When  the  clapper 
was  on  its  seat,  it  also  closed  the  open  end  of  the  horn. 
When  the  clapper  was  raised,  the  water  flowed  into  the 
horn,  hence  through  the  retarding  chamber  to  the  circuit 
closer  and  rotary  gong.  The  retarding  chamber  was, 
however,  of  an  entirely  different  principle  from  that  used 
in  the  English  Alarm  valve  as  will  be  described  later. 

The  first  Rockwood  alarm  valve  was  practically  a  copy 
of  the  English  valve.  The  present  type  has  a  grooved 
seat  and,  in  addition,  a  by-pass  containing  an  auxiliary 
valve  to  care  for  the  small  flows. 

The  Venturi  valve  made  by  the  Venturi  Alarm  Co., 
and  installed  by  the  Manufacturers'  Automatic  Sprink- 
ler Co.  (later  by  the  "  Automatic  "  Sprinkler  Co.  of 
America),  is  of  a  radically  different  principle  from  any 
other  alarm  valve. 


ALARM  VALVES  7 

There  is  a  weighted  swing  check  in  the  main  water 
way  but  no  grooved  seat  or  horn.  There  is  a  by-pass 
around  the  check  valve  containing  a  Venturi  tube,  that 
is  a  tube  containing  a  restricted  portion  or  throat. 
Water  flowing  through  such  a  tube  has  an  increased 
velocity  accompanied  by  a  decrease  in  pressure  at  the 
throat.  This  difference  in  pressure  is  made  use  of  to 
give  an  alarm  by  piping  one  side  of  a  mercury  column  to 
the  throat,  and  the  other  side  to  the  full-sized  pipe  below 
the  throat.  A  heavy  iron  float  rests  on  one  side  of  the 
mercury  column  and  when  water  passes  through  the 
by-pass,  owing  to  flowage  in  the  system,  the  float  falls 
and  its  movement  opens  an  outlet  which  allows  the 
water  to  flow  to  the  alarm  devices. 

In  February,  1908,  Mr.  E.  L.  Thompson  of  the  Man- 
ufacturers' Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.  patented  an  alarm 
valve  which  operated  entirely  on  account  of  reduction 
of  pressure  in  the  system  when  a  sprinkler  opened.  It 
was  a  complicated  device  containing  a  balanced  valve 
which  fell  when  the  pressure  was  reduced  thus  allowing 
water  to  pass  into  a  pipe  which  operated  an  electrical 
and  water  rotary  gong.  This  was  never  used  in  prac- 
tice so  far  as  known. 

Mr.  Geo.  E.  Hibbard  of  Chicago  patented  a  valve  in 
1903,  which  could  be  used  either  as  an  alarm  or  dry 
valve.  This  depended  upon  an  excess  pressure  being 
maintained  above  the  valve  and  was  never  used  so  far 
as  known. 

INSTALLATION 

In  all  types  of  alarm  valves  great  care  should  be  taken 
in  the  matter  of  installation.  Most  of  the  valves  on 
the  market  have  had  a  remarkably  good  record  so  far 
as  giving  an  alarm  in  case  of  fire  is  concerned,  but  the 
record  of  false  alarms  has  not  been  satisfactory.  The 
greater  portion  of  this  trouble  has,  however,  been  due 


8  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

to  defective  installation.     A  few  of  the  more  important 
points  that  are  often  overlooked  are  the  following: 

1.  Vent  for  circuit  closer.     There  should  be  a  small 
outlet  about  f  inch  in  diameter  located  under  each  cir- 
cuit closer  so  that  when  the  water  flow  ceases  the  pres- 
sure under  the  diaphragm  will  be  released  at  once  and 
the  circuit  will  be  thereby  broken.     This  also  allows 
the  pipe  from  the  diaphragm  to  drain  quickly  by  admit- 
ting air  at  the  upper  end.     The  vent  should  be  piped 
through  a  visible  outlet  and  so  arranged  that  water 
discharged  from  it  will  do  no  damage. 

2.  All  drips  should  run  to  the  space  under  the  build- 
ing or  out  of  doors  in  such  a  manner  that  the  chance 
of  clogging  or  freezing  will  be  reduced  to  a  minimum. 
Drips  running  to  a  sewer  are  liable  to  cause  trouble  by 
the  backing  up  of  water  which  may  operate  the  alarms. 
When  it  is  necessary  to  connect  to  a  sewer,  the  drip 
pipe  should  run  into  an  open  cup  or  into  a  pipe  of  larger 
diameter,  this  latter  pipe  running  to  the  sewer.     The 
top  of  the  cup  can  be  closed  with  a  sliding  cover  if 
desired  and  this,  not  being  air-tight,  will  prevent  any 
back   pressure   from   reaching   the   retarding   chamber. 
The  piping  should  be  arranged  so  that  the  end  of  the  drip 
can  be  easily  inspected  for  leaks.     If  necessary  a  trap 
can  be  placed  in  the  large  pipe  that  connects  with  the 
sewer.     The  drip  from  the  circuit  closer  can  easily  be 
carried  to  the  same  drain  pipe. 

3.  The  water  rotary  gong  should  be  located  as  near 
the  alarm  valve  as  possible.     If  located  at  too  great  a 
distance  from,  or  at  too  great  an  elevation  above,  the 
alarm  valve,  the  loss  of  head  entailed  may  cause  trouble. 
In  case  the  length  of  pipe  is  over  15  feet  it  is  desirable  to 
enlarge  it  to  at  least  1  inch  diameter.     This  pipe  should 
be  arranged  so  that  it  will  drain  quickly. 

There  should  be  a  substantial  hood  and  screen  over 
the  gong  to  prevent  clogging  by  ice,  birds'  nests,  etc. 
These  are  usuallv  sunnlied  with  the  valve. 


ALARM   VALVES  9 

RULES  FOR  DESIGNING  AN  ALARM  VALVE 
The  following  specifications  give   a  general  idea  of 
the  requisites  for  a  satisfactory  alarm  valve. 

1.  Must  be  capable  of  actuating  and  maintaining  in  operation 
either  mechanical  or  electrical  devices,  or  both. 

2.  The  electrical  alarm  type  must  be  capable  of  actuating  an 
electrical  circuit  opener  or  closer,  according  to  the  character  of  the 
alarm  circuit  to  which  it  may  be  connected. 

3.  The  combination  electrical  and  mechanical  type  must  operate 
to  set  and  maintain  in  operation  both  alarms,  or  either  independently. 

4.  Must  operate  at  all  rates  of  water  delivery  from  the  system, 
exceeding  ten  (10)  gallons  per  minute. 

5.  The  retarding  factor  must  not  exceed  thirty  (30)  seconds. 
The  retarding  factor  is  here  denned  as  the  time  elapsing  between 
the  first  movement  of  water  past  the  valve  due  to  opening  of  a  sys- 
tem outlet  and  the  completion  of  the  act  by  which  the  valve  actu- 
ates the  alarm  devices;   it  is  not  construed  as  including  the  delay 
incident  to  excessive  lengths  of  connecting  pipes  leading  to  such 
devices,  or  other  delays  which  may  be  largely  dependent  in  magni- 
tude upon  details  of  installation  or  excess  pressure  above  the  valve. 

6.  Must  be  equally  operative,  without  special  adjustment,  at  all 
'service  pressures  for  which  it  is  rated. 

7.  Must  discontinue  alarms  on  stoppage  of  flow. 

8.  Must  be  capable  of  transmitting  successive  alarms  without 
manual  resetting. 

9.  Must  not  spatter  water  upon  the  surroundings  of  the  valve 
nor  cause  waste  of  water. 

10.  Must  not  give  false  alarm  under  any  variation  in  service 
pressure  for  which  it  is  rated. 

11.  Must  be  substantially  constructed  and  not  embody  delicate 
parts. 

12.  Must  not  waste  water  while  in  service  and  not  in  operation. 

13.  Must  not  depend  on  moving  parts  which  are  liable  to  become 
stiffened  by  corrosion,  other  results  of  lapse  of  time  or  by  misad- 
justment. 

14.  Must  be  so  designed  as  not  to  invite  improper  adjustment  in 
'the  field. 

15.  Must  not  require  frequent  renewal,  or  adjustment  of  parts. 

16.  Must  have  all  working  parts  readily  accessible  for  removal 
and  repairs. 

17.  Must  be  made  up  and  shipped  from  the  factory  in  such  form 
as  not  to  be  liable  to  incorrect  installation  or  assembly. 


10  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

18.  Must  not  be  susceptible  to  accumulation  of  foreign  matter. 

19.  Must  not  be  liable  to  failure  from  the  effects  of  corrosion, 
sticking  of  parts  or  ordinary  accumulation  of  sediment  and  other 
foreign  matter  from  the  piping. 

20.  Must  not  possess  sufficient  differential  properties  to  cause 
danger  of  water  columning  in  service  or  undesirable  action  in  oper- 
ation. 

21.  Mus|  not  depend,  for  proper  action,   on  manually-wound 
spring  motors  or  any  other  form  of  motive  power  which  is  liable  to 
be  out  of  commission  when  needed. 

22.  Electrical  contact  devices  must  be  so  protected  from  mois- 
ture that  they  will  be  dry  under  all  conditions  short  of  actual  sub- 
merging of  the  apparatus. 

23.  Must  not  invite  internal  or  external  gagging.     The  necessary 
test  valves  and  devices  must  be  as  simple  as  possible.     If  of  such 
nature  or  so  located  that  they  may  be  carelessly  left  in  condition  to 
render  the  alarm  devices  inoperative,  provision  must  be  made  for 
pad-locking  or  sealing  them,  in  proper  operative  condition  only. 

24.  Must   not   cause   excessive   loss   of   pressure   by   hydraulic 
friction. 

NATIONAL  BOARD  RULES  FOR  ALARM  VALVES 

See  Sprinkler  Rules  Section  G. 

The  National  Board  rules  for  alarm  valves  state  that 
every  sprinkler  system  should  contain  an  alarm  valve 
that  will  operate  an  electrical,  a  mechanical  gong  or 
both.  The  character  of  the  property  and  the  local  con- 
ditions should  determine  just  what  bells  should  be  used 
and  where  they  should  be  located.  In  a  city  risk  the 
electric  bell  should  if  possible  be  located  in  a  fire  de- 
partment house  or  in  a  central  station.  It  is  also  very 
desirable  to  wire  it  on  a  closed  circuit  in  such  locations. 
It  is  often  advisable  to  omit  the  rotary  gong  when  the 
risk  is  located  in  a  congested  district  on  account  of  the 
panic  or  the  frightening  of  horses  which  might  result 
from  the  ringing  of  so  large  a  gong. 

In  small  towns  or  villages  both  electric  and  rotary 
gongs  are  desirable  and  the  electric  bell  should  be  at  a 
fire  department  house  or  in  the  dwelling  of  some  inter- 


ALARM  VALVES  11 

ested  party.  In  some  cases,  the  electric  bell  can  be 
located  in  the  power  house  of  some  nearby  plant  where 
there  is  some  one  on  hand  nights,  Sundays  and  holidays. 

The  alarm  valve  should  be  so  located  that  the  supplies 
from  all  automatic  sources  will  pass  through  it.  This 
excludes  steamer  connections  and  occasionally  pump 
supplies  although  it  is  usually  better  practice  to  have 
the  pump  water  pass  through  the  alarm  valve.  This 
necessitates  bringing  all  water  supplies  together  below 
the  valve,  as,  for  instance,  bringing  the  tank  supply 
down  to  the  basement  level  and  connecting  it  with  the 
town  water  supply  under  the  main  gate  valve  and  alarm 
valve.  It  was  formerly  customary  to  feed  the  tank 
supply  into  the  top  of  the  riser  but  this  is  not  allowed 
today,  except  in  the  case  of  risks  having  no  other  sup- 
plies than  gravity  or  pressure  tanks.  In  this  case,  which 
is  sometimes  found  in  cities  having  a  waterworks  sys- 
tem of  very  light  pressure,  the  alarm  valve  and  con- 
trolling gate  valve  may  be  located  at  the  top  of  the 
building  thus  doing  away  with  the  extra  friction  loss 
due  to  the  water  flowing  down  to  the  low  level  and  then 
returning  through  the  riser. 

The  wiring  for  electric  bells  should  be  in  conformity 
with  the  rules  given  in  the  National  Board  of  Fire  Un- 
derwriters' pamphlet  on  Signalling  Systems. 

TESTING 

All  alarm  valves  should  be  tested  occasionally  to  make 
sure  they  are  in  good  working  order.  Once  a  week 
should  be  often  enough  under  any  conditions  and  once 
a  month  is  frequently  sufficient. 

The  principal  sources  of  trouble  to  be  looked  for  are: 
the  failure  of  the  electric  bell  due  to  exhausted  bat- 
teries, corrosion  at  bell  or  broken  wire;  the  failure  of 
the  rotary  gong  due  to  clogging  at  the  outlet  or  binding 
of  parts;  sticking  at  the  seat  of  the  valve.  This  latter 


12  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

is  infrequent,  but  occasionally  occurs  with  valves  hav- 
ing a  soft  rubber  seat  especially  if  there  is  a  heavy  water 
pressure  on  top  of  the  clapper.  The  electric  bell  is  by 
far  the  most  usual  part  of  the  device  to  get  out  of  order, 
largely  due  to  battery  trouble,  and  it  is  well  to  test  this 
as  often  as  once  a  week.  This  can  be  done  by  short- 
circuiting  the  wires  without  disturbing  the  alarm  check 
or  the  water  rotary.  A  push  button  should  be  installed 
for  this  purpose  connected  directly  to  the  binding  posts 
at  the  circuit  closer  and  not  tapped  into  the  wires  run- 
ning to  the  bell.  In  this  way  the  entire  circuit  is  tested 
and  if  the  main  wires  are  corroded  or  broken  off  at  the 
binding  posts  this  fact  would  be  brought  out  on  test. 
If  the  push  button  is  tapped  into  the  wires  running  to 
the  bell,  any  break  at  the  binding  posts  or  between 
them  and  the  point  where  the  button  is  tapped  in 
would  not  be  discovered  by  the  test. 

A  testing  device  giving  a  record  of  the  test  on  a  paper 
dial  is  very  desirable.  A  small  tester,  made  on  the  same 
principle  as  the  test  clock  for  thermostat  systems,  was 
formerly  made  for  this  purpose  but  so  f aj  as  is  known  there 
is  nothing  on  the  market  today  suitable  for  this  purpose. 

It  might  be  possible  to  use  a  small  magneto  actuated 
by  the  rotary  gong  instead  of  batteries  for  supplying 
current  to  ring  bells,  thus  doing  away  with  one  of  the 
most  frequent  causes  of  trouble. 

When  a  closed  outside  circuit  is  used,  the  wires  are 
always  in  test  and  it  is  not,  therefore,  necessary  to  make 
frequent  tests  of  the  electrical  features. 

The  best  way  to  make  a  complete  test  is  to  open  the 
small  (usually  half-inch)  test  pipe  at  the  top  of  the 
sprinkler  system.  If  this  is  properly  installed  it  should 
give  a  flow,  when  wide  open,  approximately  equal  to 
the  discharge  from  one  sprinkler  head,  and  this  is  the 
minimum  flow  at  which  an  alarm  valve  can  be  expected 
to  operate. 


ALARM   VALVES  13 

Defects.  The  principal  defect  in  alarm  valves  today 
is  the  liability  to  false  alarms.  A  modern  valve  prop- 
erly installed  should  give  but  little  trouble  but  if  not 
installed  strictly  according  to  rules,  trouble  may  be 
expected.  This  trouble  is  often  overcome  by  main- 
taining an  excess  pressure  in  the  system  above  the  alarm 
valve.  There  is  no  great  objection  to  doing  this  except 
that  it  causes  extra  work  and  if  carried  to  an  extreme 
may  tend  to  cause  the  valve  to  stick.  It  also  makes  the 
valve  slower  in  operation  as  the  excess  pressure  must 
drop  to  normal  before  the  main  check  will  open.  In 
plants  where  this  is  done  the  Assured  usually  do  not 
test  the  system  as  often  as  it  should  be  tested  and  also 
object  to  tests  being  made  by  insurance  inspectors. 

In  alarm  valves  containing  soft  rubber  facings  the 
rubber  ring  should  be  replaced  every  few  years  and  per- 
haps oftener  where  the  pressure  is  very  heavy. 


FIRE  RECORD 

While  the  record  of  alarm  valves  is  not  very  satisfactory 
so  far  as  false  alarms  is  concerned,  and  while  they  are 
frequently  found  out  of  order  on  inspection,  their  fire 
record  has  certainly  been  good.  The  statistics  of  the 
National  Fire  Protection  Association  for  15  years  cov- 
ering various  forms  of  alarm  service  are  as  follows: 


Fires  Failures 

Thermostats  alone  .........       189         40  21 

Watchmen  alone  ...........     1002          90  10 

Sprinkler  alarm  alone  ......       840          62  7 


APPROXIMATE   COST 

Alarm  valves  cost  from  $100  to  $150  each  according  to 
size. 


14  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

ALPHABETICAL  LIST   OF  ALARM   VALVES 
ASSOCIATED 

Associated  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

A-IQI4.  This  is  a  new  device  not  yet  developed 
to  a  point  where  details  can  be  given.  It  has,  however, 
a  retarding  chamber  for  use  where  pressure  is  variable. 


ASSOCIATED  ALARM  VALVE. 

The  electric  circuit  closer  and  rotary  alarm  are  of  the 
usual  type. 

It  is  to  be  installed  by  responsible  and  capable  licen- 
sees in  various  parts  of  the  country. 

CARPENTER 

Patented  by  Ormlle  Carpenter  of  Pawtucket,  R.I. 

1897.  (Probably  used  before  that  time.)  This  was  a 
magnetic  valve  with  no  provision  for  a  water  rotary  at- 
tachment. A  hollow  iron  ball  B  was  used  which  when 
in  its  normal  position  rested  on  lugs  Cr  in  the  water  way, 


ALARM   VALVES 


15 


which  it  practically  filled.  Above  this  point  the  water 
way  was  enlarged  so  that  when  the  ball  was  carried  up 
by  the  movement  of  water  it  did  not  seriously  obstruct 
the  flow.  There  were  also  lugs  Df  higher  up,  to  limit 
the  height  to  which  the  ball  could  rise. 


CARPENTER  ALARM  VALVE. 
(Section.) 

Outside  the  main  valve  casting  and  separated  from  it 
by  a  tight  brass  partition  C2  was  a  brass  casing  contain- 
ing a  suspended  magnet  F,  one  end  of  the  magnet  coming 
close  to  the  brass  partition  so  that  the  iron  ball  was  in 
the  field  of  the  magnet. 

When  flowage  occurred  in  the  riser,  the  iron  ball, 
which  nearly  floated,  was  carried  up,  thus  taking  it  out- 
side the  magnetic  field.  The  suspended  magnet  then 
swung  back  away  from  the  partition,  and  in  so  doing 
closed  an  electrical  circuit  at  7.  This  was  arranged  to 
ring  an  electrical  bell  at  any  desired  location,  through  a 
retarding  element. 

This  valve  was  used  in  a  few  equipments  but  did  not 


16 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


prove  satisfactory.  There  was  a  possibility  of  the  ball 
becoming  filled  with  water  and  thus  being  too  heavy  to 
operate  properly. 

Practically  obsolete. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 

CROWDER 

Made  by  Crowder  Bros.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

1909.  Vertical  check  seating  on  a  horizontal  valve 
seat.  It  is  guided  by  a  stem  at  the  top  and  three  pro- 
jecting brackets  underneath.  There  is  an  auxiliary 


CIRCUIT  CLOSER 


RETARDING  CHAMBER 


GUIDE  STEM 


COLLAR 


VALVE  SEAT 


CHOWDER  ALARM  VALVE. 


ALARM  VALVES  17 

valve  attached  to  the  main  valve  and  closing  over  an 
opening  running  to  a  retarding  chamber.  When  the 
main  valve  is  on  its  seat,  the  auxiliary  valve  closes  the 
outlet  to  the  retarding  chamber.  There  is  a  small  pet- 
cock  in  the  pipe  to  the  chamber  and  this  is  normally 
open. 

When  the  main  check  rises,  the  auxiliary  valve  is 
opened  and  water  flows  into  the  retarding  chamber. 
The  retarding  action  is  due  to  the  difference  in  capacity 
of  the  pipe  to  the  retarding  chamber  and  the  open 
drip  through  the  petcock.  There  are  no  valves  in  this 
chamber.  Said  to  operate  under  normal  conditions  in 
5  to  8  seconds. 

Rotary  gong  when  used  is  connected  to  the  pipe  run- 
ning to  retarding  chamber  at  petcock. 

Has  been  used  since  1909;  about  60  installed  to  date. 
Field  experience  said  to  be  satisfactory. 

Rating:   Not  standard. 

EVANS 

Merchant  &  Evans  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

A-IQI4.  Made  in  4-  and  6-inch  sizes.  Consists  of  an 
angle  check  which  can  be  used  in  a  vertical  or  horizontal 
position.  The  outlet  to  the  alarm  devices  is  opened  by 
the  lifting  of  the  main  clapper.  The  retarding  chamber 
causes  an  interruption  of  15  seconds.  The  electrical  cir- 
cuit closer  and  rotary  gong  are  of  the  usual  type. 

All  details  not  yet  worked  out. 

GRAY 

Frank  Gray,  Chicago. 

1897.  Double  vertical  check  valve  on  a  single  spindle 
running  in  a  guide  From  the  intermediate  space  be- 
tween the  two  valves  a  pipe  ran  to  a  small  chamber 
containing  a  cylindrical  float.  This  chamber  was  drained 
by  a  small  open  pipe.  There  was  a  small  by-pass  around 
the  two  valves  to  take  care  of  water  hammer. 


18 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


ALARM  VALVES 


EVANS  ALARM  VALVE  SHOWING  INTERIOR. 


20  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


GLOBE  ALARM  VALVE. 


ALARM  VALVES 


21 


When  the  flowage  was  sufficient  to  raise  the  valves, 
water  filled  the  intermediate  space  and  flowing  into  the 
chamber  raised  the  float  which  closed  an  electrical  cir- 
cuit by  forcing  two  contact  points  together. 

No  rotary  gong  was  shown  in  the  patent  drawing  al- 
though this  could  readily  be  installed. 

Not  generally  used  so  far  as  known. 

Now  practically  obsolete. 

GLOBE   OR   GARRETT 

Globe  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.,  Cincinnati,  0. 

This  is  a  swing  check  seating  on 
a  grooved  horizontal  seat.  There 
is  a  rubber  facing  on  the  clapper 
to  make  a  tight  joint. 


GLOBE  ALARM  VALVE 

(Section.) 
A,  main  casting. 

C,  outlet  from  grooved 

D,  main  clapper. 

E,  valve  seat. 

F,  groove. 


GLOBE  RETARDING 
CHAMBER. 
(Section.) 

I,  diaphragm. 

M,  weighted  rod. 

D,  drip  valve. 


22  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

The  pipe  from  the  grooved  seat  runs  to  the  lower  part 
of  a  retarding  chamber.  There  is  a  metal  diaphragm  at 
the  upper  end  of  the  chamber  which  when  it  is  thrown 
up,  operates  a  knife  switch  connected  to  the  electrical 
circuit.  A  weighted  rod  is  attached  to  the  diaphragm 
and  at  the  lower  end  of  this  rod  is  a  valve  leading  to  a 
drip  pipe.  A  f-inch  pipe  to  the  rotary  gong  connects 
to  the  chamber  near  its  upper  end. 

Water  entering  the  chamber  from  the  grooved  seat 
leaks  out  through  the  dip  valve  until  enough  pressure 
has  accumulated  to  throw  up  the  diaphragm.  This 
closes  the  drip  valve  and  at  the  same  time  operates  the 
knife  switch  on  the  electrical  circuit. 

Field  experience  said  to  be  satisfactory. 

Rating:   Not  standard.     Generally  satisfactory. 

GRINNELL  ANGLE  ALARM  VALVE 

Made  by  the  Providence  Steam  &  Gas  Pipe  Co. 

1885.  This  consisted  of  a  vertical  check  valve  lo- 
cated in  a  casting  which  was  in  the  form  of  an  angle. 
There  was  a  round  stem  containing  a  groove  attached 
to  the  lower  side  of  the  check.  A  pin  was  inserted  in 
the  side  of  the  valve  in  such  a  way  that  one  end  of  the 
pin  rested  in  the  groove  of  the  stem  when  the  valve  was 
closed.  When  the  check  was  raised  by  the  passage  of 
water,  this  pin  was  pushed  outwards  a  short  distance 
by  the  pressure  of  the  stem  below  the  groove.  This 
motion  was  utilized  to  make  an  electrical  connection 
or  to  trip  a  mechanical  gong. 

A  good  deal  of  trouble  developed  in  the  course  of  years 
from  the  sticking  of  the  pin  for  there  had  to  be  a  stuffing 
box  to  make  a  water-tight  joint.  Another  undesirable 
feature  was  the  possibility  of  the  pin  becoming  bent 
and  thus  being  prevented  from  moving  easily  along  its 
guides.  These  defects  were  so  serious  that  this  type 


ALARM   VALVES 


23 


of  valve  was  finally  condemned  and  most  of  them  have 
either  been  taken  out  or  have  had  the  pin  removed. 

A  considerable  number  were  installed.  Field  experi- 
ence fairly  satisfactory  for  a  few  years. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable.  A  menace  to  sprinkler 
system. 


GRINNELL  ANGLE  ALARM  VALVE. 

(Section.) 

GRINNELL  ENGLISH  ALARM   VALVE 
Patented    by    Dowson    &     Taylor.      Manufactured  by 
Providence  Steam   &  Gas   Pipe  Co,     Later  by  the 
General  Fire  Extinguisher  Co. 

1-1888.  A  vertical  check  valve  with  a  rubber  facing 
seated  on  a  grooved  seat.  A  small  auxiliary  valve  in 
main  check  allowed  water  to  pass  upwards  through  the 
valve  but  not  to  return.  This  tended  to  create  an  ex- 
cess pressure  above  the  valve  and  thus  to  prevent  false 
alarms. 


24 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


Pipe  from  grooved  seat  ran  direct  to  rotary  gong  and 
circuit  closer  with  no  interrupting  pot. 

But  few  installed.     Now  practically  obsolete. 
Rating :  Subject  to  false  alarms.     Unsatisfactory. 


DRIP    PROTECTED 
FROM    FREEZING 


GRINNELL  ENGLISH  ALARM 
VALVE  1.     (Section.) 


2-1890.  Similar  to  No.  1  but  with  interrupting  pot. 
This  pot  had  a  small  outlet  at  the  bottom  protected  by 
a  long  vertical  strainer.  .The  outlet  being  smaller  than 
the  inlet  the  pot  gradually  filled  with  water  when  the 
main  check  valve  was  raised  and  water  entered  the 
grooved  seat. 

Some  of  the  early  types  gave  trouble  from  sticking  of 


ALARM   VALVES 


25 


the  rubber  valve  at  the  grooved  seat.     This  was  espe- 
cially the  case  where  the  valve  was  in  a  warm  place  or 
where  there  was  normally  a  heavy  pressure  on  top  of  the 
valve.     Later  a  harder  rubber 
was  used  for  this  purpose. 

There  was  a  metal  dia- 
phragm at  the  top  of  the 
chamber.  When  the  chamber 
became  full  of  water  this  dia- 
phragm was  raised  and  an 
electrical  connection  was 
made. 

The  time  element  of  the  re- 
tarding chamber  was  about 
20  seconds. 

The  water  rotary  connected 
directly  with   the   pipe  from 
the  grooved  seat.     The  water 
rotary   gong    consist- 
ing of   a  wheel  with 
paddles  like  a  water 
wheel  was  revolved  by 
a  stream  of  water  is- 
suing from  a  nozzle. 
When   the  wheel   re- 
volved a  hinged  ham- 


GRINNELL  ENGLISH  ALARM  VALVE  2. 

RETARDING  CHAMBER. 

(Section.) 


mer  on  the  outside  of 
the  building  was  made 
to  strike  a  large 
gong. 

A  large  number  were  installed.  Field  experience  quite 
satisfactory  though  the  device  was  somewhat  subject 
to  false  alarms.  New  circuit  closers,  properly  vented, 
have  been  installed  on  some  of  these  old  valves  to  obviate 
this  trouble. 

Rating:   Not  standard.     Fairly  satisfactory. 


26 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


3-1900.     Main  valve  similar  to  previous  type  but  with- 
out auxiliary  check  valve.     Interrupting  chamber  and 

circuit  closer  redesigned. 
The  outlet  pipe  from 
the  chamber  ended  in  an 
elbow  pointing  up.  A 
valve  arranged  to  close 
the  end  of  this  outlet  was 
attached  to  a  metal  dia- 
phragm in  the  bottom  of 
the  chamber.  The  pipe 
to  the  circuit  closer  and 
rotary  gong  connected  at 
the  top  of  the  chamber. 

When  the  water  entered 
the  chamber  from  the 
grooved  seat  it  created  a 
H  pressure  on  this  dia- 
phragm. ^  When  the  cham- 
ber became  full,  the  pres- 
sure was  sufficient  to 
operate  the  diaphragm. 


GRINNELLENGLISHALARMVALVE3. 

RETARDING  CHAMBER.  valve  onto  the  outlet  pipe 

(Section.)  and    closed    the    outlet. 

The  water  then  flowed  to 

the  rotary  gong  and  circuit  closer  from  the  top  of  the 
chamber. 

The  circuit  closer  contained  a  diaphragm  which  oper- 
ated a  knife  switch. 

Many  of  these  valves  were  installed  and  are  still  in 
use.  Where  properly  installed  the  field  experience  has 
been  quite  satisfactory. 

Rating:   Not  standard.     Generally  satisfactory. 


ALARM   VALVES 


27 


GRINNELL   STRAIGHTWAY  ALARM  VALVE 
General  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Providence,  R.  I. 

1908.  Swing  check  with  grooved  seat.  Capable  of 
being  used  in  upright  or  horizontal  position.  A  pipe 
from  grooved  seat  runs  to  an  interrupting  chamber  of 


STRAIGHTWAY  ALARM  VALVE. 
(Section.) 

the  same  design  as  that  used  in  the  No.  3  English  Alarm 
valve.  Circuit  closer  and  rotary  gong  are  also  of  the 
same  design  as  those  in  the  English  Alarm  No.  3. 

Criticized  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in  1907, 
as  follows: 

Somewhat  subject  to  false  alarms. 
Susceptible  to  improper  installation. 
Water  motor  alarm  inefficient. 

Many  of  these  valves  are  in  use.     Where  properly  in- 
stalled field  experience  has  been  quite  satisfactory. 
Rating:    Not  standard.     Generally  satisfactory. 


28 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


HARKNESS  TEE 

Made  by  the  Harkness  Fire  Extinguisher  Co. 
by  the  General  Fire  Extinguisher  Co. 


Redesigned 


This  was  a  constant-pressure  alarm  designed  for  branch 
pipes.  It  consisted  of  a  thin  copper  flapper  supported 
by  a  flexible  diaphragm.  When  in  its  normal  position, 
the  flapper  closed  the  water  way.  In  case  of  flowage 
it  was  pushed  to  one  side  and  this  motion  transmitted 
through  the  flexible  tube  made  an  electrical  contact 
outside  the  pipe. 


HARKNESS  TEE. 

J,  main  casting.     H,  circuit  closer.    F,  G,  wires 
to  circuit  closer. 

It  was  not  designed  to  use  with  a  water  rotary  gong  and 
could  only  be  used  where  the  water  pressure  was  very 
constant,  as  where  a  tank  was  the  primary  supply. 

By  installing  one  on  the  branch  pipe  feeding  each  floor 


ALARM  VALVES  29 

and  connecting  the  wiring  to  an  annunciator,  the  device 
would  show  the  floor  on  which  a  fire  occurred. 

Used  to  a  considerable  extent  in  city  risks.  As  rede- 
signed it  is  being  used  in  connection  with  supervisory 
apparatus. 

Field  experience  quite  satisfactory. 

Rating:  Not  standard.  Satisfactory  under  constant 
pressures  only. 

HUNT 

Jarvis    Hunt,   Chicago.     Assigned  to  Phoenix  Fire  Ex- 
tinguisher Co. 

1904.  Vertical  check  valve,  hollow  and  shaped  like  a 
truncated  cone.  It  was  guided  by  rods  passing  through 
supports  above  and  below  the  check.  Seated  on  a 
grooved  seat,  a  pipe  from  which  ran  to  the  atmosphere. 

No  retarding  element  or  alarm  connections  shown  in 
the  patent  drawing.  Valve  designed  to  be  used  either 
as  a  differential  dry  valve  or  an  alarm  valve.  The 
buoyancy  of  the  valve  was  supposed  to  prevent  water 
columning. 

Not  used  to  any  extent  so  far  as  known. 

INTERNATIONAL 

Made  by  International  Sprinkler  Co.,  Philadelphia. 

1901.  This  company  first  used  an  alarm  valve  of  the 
swing  clapper  type  with  a  stem  extending  through  a 
stuffing  box.  This  was  soon  discarded  for  the  better 
known  "  horn  "  type.  This  valve  was  put  on  the  mar- 
ket in  1901  and  consisted  of  a  swing  check  valve  seating 
at  a  slight  angle,  designed  to  be  used1  in  either  a  verti- 
cal or  horizontal  position.  A  horn,  connected  to  a 
small  pipe,  extended  through  the  casing  into  the  water 
way  just  below  the  check  valve.  When  on  its  seat,  the 
check  valve  also  rested  on  the  end  of  the  horn,  thus 
tightly  closing  the  outlet  into  the  small  pipe.  There 


30  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


INTERNATIONAL  ALARM  VALVE.    TYPE  C. 


ALARM   VALVES  31 

was  a  diaphragm  inserted  in  the  lower  side  of  the  main 
check,  at  the  point  where  the  check  valve  covered  the 
horn.  There  were  perforations  in  the  edge  of  this  dia- 
phragm so  as  to  admit  water  above  it,  thus  making  it 
easier  to  adjust  the  valve  so  as  to  give  a  tight  joint  both 
at  the  main  seat  and  at  the  horn. 

When  the  check  valve  was  raised  off  its  seat,  due  to 
flowage  in  the  system,  water  entered  the  horn  and 
flowed  to  the  interrupting  pot  and  finally  actuated  the 
alarms. 

The  interrupting  chamber  or  time  element  was  of  an 
entirely  different  principle  from  that  in  any  other  valve. 
It  consisted  of  three  compartments,  an  upper,  a  middle 
and  a  lower  one.  A  valve  between  the  lower  and  mid- 
dle compartment  was  held  closed  by  water  pressure  com- 
ing through  a  pipe  that  connected  with  the  riser  below 
the  main  check  and  ran  to  the  lower  compartment. 
The  small  pipe  from  the  horn  ran  to  the  upper  compart- 
ment. There  was  a  thin  metal  diaphragm  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  upper  compartment  separating  it  from  the 
middle  one.  The  pipe  to  the  alarm  devices  connected 
with  the  middle  compartment. 

When  the  alarm  valve  was  closed,  no  water  could  enter 
the  horn  and  there  was  therefore  no  pressure  in  the 
upper  compartment.  The  water  pressure  from  below 
the  main  valve  held  closed  the  valve  between  the  middle 
and  lower  compartment.  There  was,  therefore,  no  pres- 
sure in  the  middle  compartment. 

When  the  main  check  valve  opened,  water  entered  the 
horn  and  flowed  from  this  into  the  upper  compartment. 
When  this  became  full,  the  pressure  forced  down  the 
diaphragm  in  the  bottom  of  this  compartment,  thus 
opening  the  valve  between  the  middle  and  lower  com- 
partment. The  water  from  the  lower  pipe  then  flowed 
into  the  middle  compartment  and  thence  to  the  circuit 
closer,  the  water  rotary  gong  or  both. 


32  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

This  valve  was  criticized  by  the  Underwriters'  Lab- 
oratories in  1905  as  follows: 

1.  Variable  in  action  under  high  and  low  pressure  especially  with 
small  water  flows. 

2.  Subject  to  leakage  (through  valve). 

3.  Some  parts  fragile  and  susceptible  to  improper  adjustment. 

In  1912  they  criticized  in  addition: 

1.  Liability  to  false  alarms. 

2.  Reliability  doubtful  under  service  pressures  of  less  than  25 
pounds. 

3.  May  obstruct  flow  of  water  in  riser. 

A  large  number  of  these  valves  have  been  installed 
and  the  field  experience  has  been  generally  satisfactory. 

There  are  four  types  of  this  valve  varying  but  little 
from  each  other.  Early  types  sometimes  known  as 
Evans'  Alarm  Valve. 

A-IQOI.  Horn  of  large  diameter  (1  J-inch  in  6-inch  size) 
with  flaring  outlet  seating  on  diaphragm  in  about  the 
center  of  the  clapper.  Circuit  closer  on  top  of  retarding 
chamber. 

6-1902.  Horn  of  smaller  diameter  (TVinch)  and  not 
flaring  as  much,  seating  in  center  of  clapper. 

€-1903.  Similar  to  B  but  horn  somewhat  off  center 
of  clapper. 

D-igo6.  Diaphragm  discarded  and  horn  seats  on  an 
adjustable  plug  adjusted  from  upper  side  of  clapper. 

Circuit  closer  connected  to  pipe  running  to  rotary 
gong  in  all  but  A. 

Rating  of  all  types:  Generally  satisfactory. 

MANUFACTURERS 

Manufacturers  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.  of  New  York. 

Swing  check  with  packed  stem.  Subject  to  false 
alarms  under  fluctuating  pressures. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable  and  menace  to  sprinkler 
system. 


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ALARM  VALVES  35 

VENTURI   OR  MANUFACTURERS       • 

Submitted  to  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  by 
McNab  &  Harin  Manufacturing  Co. 

The  Venturi  alarm  valve  is  made  by  the  Venturi 
Alarm  Co.,  and  installed  by  the  "  Automatic  "  Sprinkler 
Co.  of  America. 

A-IQO7.  There  is  a  weighted  check  valve  around 
which  there  is  a  small  by-pass  containing  a  Venturi  tube. 
This  tube,  starting  with  a  given  diameter  at  the  lower 
side  of  the  main  check,  decreases  rapidly  in  diameter 
until  the  throat  is  reached  and  then  increases  more 
gradually  to  the  original  diameter.  Water  passing 
through  such  a  tube  increases  in  velocity  and  decreases 
proportionally  in  pressure  at  the  throat.  This  feature 
is  used  in  an  ingenuous  way  to  actuate  an  alarm-giving 
device.  A  double  column,  or,  more  correctly,  a  double 
chamber  of  mercury,  is  arranged  with  a  heavy  iron  float 
on  one  side  of  the  column.  When  in  -its  normal  posi- 
tion, this  float  holds  closed  a  valve  on  the  end  of  a  pipe 
leading  to  the  circuit  closer  and  rotary  gong.  There  is 
one  pipe  running  from  the  riser  below  the  main  check 
valve  to  the  float  side  of  the  mercury  column  and  an- 
other pipe  running  from  the  throat  of  the  Venturi  tube 
to  the  other  side  of  the  column.  When  the  system  is  in 
normal  condition,  the  mercury  is  at  the  same  level  in 
each  side  of  the  column  and  the  valve  on  the  pipe  to 
the  gongs  is  closed.  When  water  begins  to  flow  in  the 
riser,  it  causes^  a  flow  through  the  Venturi  tube.  The 
pressure  at  the  throat  of  the  tube  is  decreased  and  this 
decrease  is  transmitted  to  one  side  of  the  mercury  col- 
umn. The  float  therefore  falls  and  opens  the  small 
valve  to  the  gongs. 

This  type  of  valve  has  been  used  quite  successfully 
for  several  years.  One  feature  that  is  apt  to  cause 
trouble  and  which  must  be  carefully  watched  is  the 
wedging  open  of  the  main  check  valve  which  might 


36  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

cause  a  failure  of  the  alarm  to  operate  and  still  would 
give  no  trouble  alarm.  In  case  a  small  stick,  stone  or 
other  obstruction  should  lodge  on  the  seat  of  the  check 
and  hold  it  open  no  alarm  or  trouble  signal  would  prob- 
ably be  given.  In  case  a  sprinkler  opened,  the  water 
to  feed  it  would  flow  through  the  main  check  instead  of 
through  the  Venturi  by-pass.  In  other  types  of  valves 
the  wedging  open  of  the  check  valve  in  this  way  will 
cause  a  continuous  alarm  until  the  trouble  is  remedied 
and  no  failure  in  case  of  fire  would  result. 

To  reduce  the  possibility  of  such  trouble  to  a  mini- 
mum a  quarter-inch  test  pipe  is  installed  just  above 
the  main  check.  This  can  be  used  to  make  a  final  test 
after  there  has  been  a  flowage  of  water  through  the 
system.  If  the  alarms  will  operate  with  this  quarter- 
inch  test  pipe  open,  it  is  safe  to  assume  that  the  main 
check  is  on  its  seat  or  at  least  there  is  not  enough  ob- 
struction under  it  to  cause  trouble. 

Another  feature  which  is  liable  to  cause  trouble  is  the 
possible  leakage  of  mercury  at  the  gage  joints,  although 
this  has  now  been  well  guarded  against. 

The  time  element  in  this  valve  depends  upon  the  size 
of  the  orifice  through  which  the  mercury  has  to  pass  in 
flowing  from  one  chamber  to  the  other.  This  orifice  is 
wedge  shaped  so  that  the  mercury  flows  back  a  little 
faster  than  it  flows  in. 

Reported  upon  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in 
1909.  Features  criticized: 

1.  Unreliability  of  alarm  at  rates  of  flow  around  300  gallons  per 
minute. 

2.  Danger  of  clogging  of  mercury  column. 

3.  Danger  of  mercury  leakage. 

4.  Susceptibility  to  misadjustment. 

5.  Effects  of  water  eddies  at  inlet. 

6.  Inaccessibility  of  main  valve  seat. 

7.  Liability  of  failure  to  send  in  alarm  if  check  is  not  tightly 


ALARM   VALVES 


37 


In  June,  1912,  the  following  criticism  was  also  made. 
Liability  to  false  alarms. 

A  large  number  have  been  installed  and  field  experi- 
ence has  been  generally  satisfactory  where  properly  in- 
stalled and  adjusted. 

Rating:   Not  standard.     Generally  satisfactory. 

B-IQIO.  Similar  to  A  but  with  main  check  valve 
seating  at  an  angle  and  Venturi  tube  in  a  vertical  posi- 
tion. There  is  less  liability  of  this  device  being  im- 
properly set  up. 

Rating :   Not  standard.    Generally  satisfactory. 

NEU 

Gustave  S.  Neu,  New  York  City. 

Installed  by  the  Wai  worth  Manufacturing  Co.  and 
other  sprinkler  concerns. 

This  consisted  of  a  vertical  check  valve  seating  on  a 
horizontal  valve  seat  in  much  the 
same  way  as  the  disc  of  a  Globe 
shut-off  valve. 

There  was  a  spindle  on  the  lower 
side  running  in  an  interior  guide 
supported  by  two  arms.  On  the  up- 
per side  was  another  spindle  carrying 
a  small  plunger  which  ran  through 
a  stuffing  box  to  a  metal  casing  at- 
tached to  the  top  of  the  valve.  In 
this  casing  were  two  contact  points  NEU  ALARM  VALVE. 
which  were  brought  together  when 
the  plunger  was  thrown  up  by  the 
opening  of  the  check  valve,  thus 
closing  an  electric  circuit  and  ringing 
a  bell. 


(Part  in  section.) 
V,  valve  clapper. 
F,  spindle. 

A,  contact  case. 

B,  contact  points. 


This  device  had  no  provision  for  a  water  rotary  alarm. 
It  was  subject  to  sticking  at  the  stuffing  box. 


38  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

It  was  used  to  a  considerable  extent  about  1895. 
Reported  upon  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in  1905. 
All  features  criticized. 

Rating:  Unreliable.     A  menace  to  sprinkler  system. 

NIAGARA 

Niagara  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Akron,  Ohio. 

This  was  a  swing-check  valve  with  a  weighted  clapper 
seating  on  a  phosphor  bronze  seat  ring-.  The  arm  carry- 
ing the  clapper  was  keyed  to  a  rod  which  passed  through 
the  casing  and  actuated  the  alarm  device  on  the  outside. 
The  rod  or  stem  was  rotated  as  the  clapper  opened  or 
closed.  Instead  of  a  stuffing  box  at  the  point  where  the 
stem  passed  through  the  casing,  as  was  customary  in  old 
valves  of  this  type,  a  flexible  ground  joint  was  used. 
This  consisted  of  a  ring  attached  to  a  metal  diaphragm 
bearing  on  a  ground  plate.  The  water  pressure  in  the 
system  acting  on  the  diaphragm  caused  a  pressure  on 
this  ground  joint  which  kept  it  tight. 

Not  used  to  any  extent  so  far  as  known. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable. 

ROCKWOOD 

Worcester  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.    Later  Rockwood  Sprink- 
ler Co. 

1-1906.  This  was  built  on  the  same  lines  as  the 
Grinnell  English  pattern  No.  3.  The  main  valve  was  a 
vertical  check  with  rubber  seat.  The  retarding  cham- 
ber had  a  valve  at  the  end  of  the  outlet  pipe  closed  by 
the  movement  of  a  metal  diaphragm. 

But  very  few  valves  of  this  type  were  installed  and 
the  retarding  chambers  have  now  all  been  replaced. 

Rating:  Obsolete. 

A-IQOQ.  Similar  to  No.  1,  except  a  swing  check  was 
used.  Retarding  chamber  redesigned.  The  pipe  from 


ALARM  VALVES 


39 


the  grooved  seat  entered  the  base  of  the  retarding  cham- 
ber through  a  screen.  Taking  a  sharp  curve  it  flowed 
through  a  Venturi  tube  into  the  chamber  proper.  A 
small  drip  ran  from  the  throat  of  the  Venturi  tube  to 


ROCKWOOD  ALARM  VALVE  A. 
(Section.) 

a  drip  pipe.  This  acted  as  a  drain  for  the  entire  retard- 
ing chamber. 

In  case  of  water  hammer  the  water  from  the  grooved 
seat  would  not  fill  the  chamber  and  would  quickly  drain 
out.  In  any  case  there  would  be  a  constant  flowage 
from  the  drip  pipe  while  the  main  check  was  off  its 
seat. 

This  valve  was  installed  to  a  considerable  extent  and 
gave  fairly  good  results.  Somewhat  subject  to  failure 
of  rotary  under  light  pressures. 

Rating:   Not  standard.     Generally  satisfactory. 

B-IQII.  Main  valve  redesigned.  Same  retarding 
chamber  as  in  A. 

Main  valve  consists  of  a  swing  check  seating  on  a 
horizontal  grooved  seat.  Designed  for  a  vertical  position 
only.  There  is  a  small  by-pass  (IJ-inch  on  4-inch  size) 
around  the  main  check  with  a  swing  check  at  the  upper 


40 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


end.  This  check  closes  on  the  open  end  of  the  by-pass. 
A  i-inch  pipe  runs  from  the  small  by-pass  to  the  re- 
tarding chamber  connecting  with  the  pipe  from  the 
main  check  just  outside  the  chamber.  This  by-pass  is 


VCNTURI  RETARDING  CHAMBEF 


ROCKWOOD  ALARM  VALVE  TYPE  B. 

Section  of  valve  on  right.     Sections  of  retarding  chamber  on  left. 
C,  by-pass  around  main  check.     B,  auxiliary  valve  in  by-pass. 

designed  to  take  care  of  small  flows  and  water  hammer 
so  that  the  main  valve  will  not  open  frequently. 

This  valve  is  being  extensively  installed  and  is  giving 
fairly  good  satisfaction. 

Rating:   Not  standard.     Generally  satisfactory. 

WALWORTH 

Walworth  Manufacturing  Co.,  Boston. 

This  was  a  swing  check  with  lever  attached  to  check 
passing  through  stuffing  box  to  outside  of  the  casing. 


ALARM   VALVES 


41 


ROCKWOOD  ALARM  VALVE. 
Exterior  view  showing  retarding  chamber,  etc. 


42 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


WALWORTH 
ALARM  VALVE. 


The  movement  of  the  lever,  when  the 
check  opened,  tripped  a  mechanical  gong. 
No  water  rotary  could  be  used  with  this 
valve. 

Used  to  considerable  extent.  Now 
practically  obsolete. 

Field  experience  unsatisfactory.  Sub- 
ject to  false  alarms  and  sticking  at  the 
packed  stem. 


Rating:    Unreliable  and  a  menace  to  system. 


Note:    In  late  equipments  the  Walworth  Co.  used  the  Grinnell 
English  type  valve  to  some  extent. 


CHAPTER  II 

DRY   SYSTEMS   AND   DRY  VALVES 
DRY   SYSTEMS.     GENERAL  FEATURES 

A  dry-pipe  system  is  one  in  which  there  is  air  under 
pressure,  instead  of  water,  in  the  sprinkler  pipes. 

These  systems  are  needed  in  buildings  which  are  not 
sufficiently  heated  to  prevent  freezing  in  winter.  They 
are  never  considered  quite  as  effective  as  wet-pipe  sys- 
tems as  they  are  slower  in  action,  more  complicated 
and  more  likely  to  cause  interruptions  in  the  sprinkler 
service. 

A  dry-pipe  system  is  installed  in  a  similar  manner  to  a 
wet-pipe  system  except  that  more  care  is  necessary  in 
arranging  all  parts  to  drain  properly  and,  on  account  of 
the  increased  difficulty  of  holding  air  under  pressure, 
extra  precaution  should  be  taken  to  make  all  joints  as 
tight  as  possible.  A  dry  valve  is  installed  in  the  system, 
usually  inside  the  building  at  the  lowest  level,  and  when 
the  system  is  in  normal  condition  there  is  no  water  in 
the  pipes  above  this  point. 

DRY  VALVES 

A  dry-pipe  valve  is  a  device  for  holding  back  the  water 
in  a  sprinkler  system  until  fire  occurs  and  then  opening 
automatically  and  allowing  the  water  to  flow  into  the 
pipes.  Air  is  pumped  into  the  pipes  above  the  dry 
valve  and  the  pressure  thus  created  holds  the  valve 
closed.  These  valves  are  always  designed  so  a  moderate 
amount  of  air  pressure  will  hold  back  a  much  heavier 
water  pressure.  This  is  done  for  two  reasons:  first, 
because  a  heavy  air  pressure  is  difficult  to  pump  up  and 

46 


44  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

hard  to  maintain;  second,  because  the  time  necessary 
to  exhaust  a  heavy  air  pressure  and  the  fanning  effect 
on  the  fire  of  the  escaping  air  both  act  against  the  quick 
control  of  a  fire. 

Several  different  types  of  dry  valves  have  been  in- 
vented but  those  in  use  today  are  of  two  types,  the 
differential  and  the  mechanical.  In  the  differential  type 
there  is  a  double-seated  check  valve,  the  upper  or  air 
seat  being  much  larger  than  the  lower  or  water  seat. 
The  difference  in  area  between  these  two  seats  deter- 
mines the  differential  or  difference  in  pressure  necessary 
to  balance  the  valve.  Valves  of  this  type  are  generally 
designed  with  a  differential  of  about  7  to  1,  that  is  one 
pound  of  air  pressure  on  the  upper  side  will  just  hold 
the  valve  closed  against  7  pounds  water  pressure  on  the 
lower  side.  Examples:  Grinnell  and  Rockwood. 

In  the  mechanical  type  the  check  on  the  water  side 
is  held  closed  by  a  system  of  levers,  these  being  held  in 
place  by  the  action  of  air  pressure  in  the  pipes.  Here 
there  is  generally  no  fixed  ratio  of  air  and  water  pressure 
that  will  hold  the  valve  closed  but  the  valve  is  designed 
to  open  at  a  predetermined  air  pressure  which,  however, 
can  be  somewhat  varied  by  the  amount  of  pressure  ex- 
erted on  the  adjusting  screw.  Examples:  International, 
Manufacturers  and  Niagara. 

All  types  of  dry  valves  are  subject  to  "  water  column- 
ing  "  if  not  properly  installed  and  maintained.  In  other 
words  if  there  is  enough  water  in  the  pipes  above  the 
valve  to  produce  a  pressure  on  the  valve  greater  than 
the  pressure  at  which  it  will  trip,  then  the  valve  is 
"  columned  "  and  will  not  open  automatically.  If,  for 
instance,  in  a  differential  valve,  having  a  differential  of 
6  to  1  and  a  water  pressure  of  30  pounds  in  the  supply 
pipe,  enough  water  should  accumulate  above  the  valve 
to  make  a  column  12  feet  high,  the  pressure  of  this  water, 
namely  a  little  over  5  pounds  (0.43  pound  to  each  foot), 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND   DRY  VALVES  45 

would  be  more  than  one-sixth  of  the  water  pressure  and 
would  therefore  hold  the  valve  closed.  This  water  pres- 
sure, unlike  air  pressure,  is  not  reduced  when  a  sprinkler 
head  at  a  higher  level  opens.  This  feature  gives  little 
trouble  in  practice  however. 

Water  accumulates  above  a  valve  in  two  ways:  first, 
by  slowly  draining  from  the  small  end  pipes  which  will 
not  drain  quickly  when  the  main  draw-off  pipe  is  open 
owing  to  the  vacuum  action;  second,  by  the  condensa- 
tion of  water  from  the  air  which  is  pumped  into  the  pipes. 

Water  collecting  in  the  pipe  above  a  dry  valve  may  also 
cause  trouble  by  freezing  where  the  pipe  is  exposed.  It 
is  therefore  of  vital  importance  that  the  draw-off  pipe 
above  the  dry  valve  be  opened  occasionally  to  drain  off 
any  water  that  may  have  collected. 

It  is  essential  that  the  intermediate  space  between  the 
air  and  water  valves  in  a  differential  dry  valve  be  kept 
free  from  water.  Should  water  leaking  past  the  water 
valve  fill  this  space  under  a  pressure  greater  than  the 
air  pressure,  the  air  valve  would  be  opened  and  the  sys- 
tem flooded.  In  all  systems  having  a  closed  interme- 
diate space  this  feature  is  safeguarded  by  an  automatic 
drip.  This  drip  takes  care  of  any  small  leakage  but 
closes  automatically  under  the  pressure  resulting  from 
the  opening  of  the  valve. 

Operation.  The  general  operation  of  dry  systems  is 
as  follows.  The  system  is  set  up  by  closing  the  main 
gate  valve  and  draining  off  all  the  water  above  the  dry 
valve.  The  dry  -valve  is  then  set  up  and  air  pressure  is 
pumped  into  the  pipes.  When  the  pressure  has  reached 
a  sufficient  amount  to  hold  the  dry  valve  closed,  the  gate 
valve  is  opened  and  the  water  pressure  rests  on  the  lower 
side  of  the  dry  valve.  When  a  sprinkler  opens,  the  air 
pressure  in  the  pipes  escapes  until  the  tripping  point  is 
reached,  when  the  dry  valve  is  forced  open  by  the  water 
pressure  thus  allowing  the  water  to  flow  into  the  pipes. 


46  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

Maintenance.  A  dry  system  is  much  more  difficult 
to  maintain  than  a  wet  system  because  the  air  in  the  pipes 
is  certain  to  leak  out  slowly,  thus  necessitating  more  or 
less  frequent  pumping.  Unless  the  system  is  carefully 
watched  and  cared  for  the  valve  is  liable  to  trip  and  flood 
the  pipes.  This  would  do  no  damage  in  warm  weather, 
but  in  freezing  weather  great  damage  would  probably 
result  from  frozen  pipes. 

The  air  pressure  maintained  should  vary  only  between 
small  limits,  for  too  high  a  pressure  will  retard  the  action 
of  the  system  and  too  low  a  pressure  may  allow  the  valve 
to  trip.  In  a  differential  valve,  with  a  ratio  of  7  to  1 
and  with  a  water  pressure  of  80  pounds,  the  tripping 
point  is  about  12  pounds  and  the  air  pressure  should 
range  from  20  to  30  pounds.  With  a  lower  water  pres- 
sure these  figures  could  be  somewhat  reduced  and  with 
higher  pressure  they  should  be  increased.  In  a  valve 
of  the  mechanical  type  the  air  pressure  should  be  be- 
tween 30  and  40  pounds  regardless  of  the  water  pres- 
sure. 

NATIONAL  BOARD   RULES  FOR  DRY   SYSTEMS 

The  rules  of  the  National  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters 
for  dry-pipe  valves  and  fittings  (Sec.  H)  state  that  dry- 
pipe  systems  should  be  used  only  where  wet-pipe  systems 
are  impractical,  and  while  not  as  desirable  as  wet-pipe 
systems  they  are  far  preferable  to  shutting  off  the  water 
supply  in  cold  weather. 

Air  pressure  should  be  maintained  on  the  system  the 
entire  year,  except  by  special  consent.  This  is  required 
because  the  draining  and  filling  of  the  system  every  year 
tends  to  cause  corrosion  in  the  pipes  and  frequently 
brings  in  dirt  and  sediment.  Then  again  the  Assured 
usually  take  better  care  of  a  system  that  is  maintained 
dry  the  entire  year.  When  water  is  admitted  in  the 
spring  there  is  a  strong  temptation  to  neglect  the  system 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  47 

during  the  summer  and  not  to  drain  it  and  pump  up  the 
air  until  cold  weather  has  already  caused  damage.  An- 
other undesirable  feature  is  that  when  the  water  is  in 
the  dry  system,  all  automatic  alarm  attachments  must 
be  shut  off  to  prevent  them  from  ringing  continuously. 
Therefore,  unless  an  alarm  valve  is  also  installed  in  the 
pipe,  the  alarm  service  must  be  sacrificed. 

On  the  other  hand  it  cannot  be  denied  that  a  system 
with  water  in  the  pipes  is  somewhat  quicker  and  more 
reliable  in  action  (except  for  the  alarm  feature),  for  at 
best  it  takes  an  appreciable  time  for  the  water  to  reach 
a  sprinkler  after  it  has  opened  and  dry  valves  are  not 
infallible  in  their  action.  It  is  therefore  occasionally 
wise  to  waive  this  rule.  This  is  especially  the  case  in 
new  systems  that  are  not  perfectly  tight,  for  by  letting 
water  remain  in  the  pipes  during  the  first  summer, 
small  leaks  are  frequently  closed  by  corrosion  and  the 
system  made  much  tighter.  It  is  also  questionable 
whether  it  is  not  wise  to  run  the  dry  systems  wet  during 
the  summer  in  the  southern  states  where  freezing  weather 
lasts  only  about  two  months  out  of  the  twelve.  The 
Factory  Mutual  Insurance  Companies  do  not  have  this 
restriction  in  their  rules.  In  fact  they  prefer  to  have 
water  let  into  the  system  each  spring  and  usually  re- 
quire a  full-sized  by-pass  around  the  dry  valve  for  this 
purpose.  The  gate  valve  in  this  by-pass  is  kept  open 
during  warm  weather. 

Drainage.  Sprinklers  on  a  dry  system  should  always 
be  installed  in  an  upright  position  so  that  they  will 
drain  properly.  Great  care  should  be  taken  to  arrange 
all  piping  to  drain  thoroughly  and  if  possible  to  drain 
to  one  drip  pipe  located  just  above  the  dry  valve. 

The  horizontal  pipes  should  have  a  greater  pitch  than 
those  in  a  wet-pipe  system,  namely,  not  less  than  \  inch 
in  10  feet,  so  that  the  pipes  will  drain  more  rapidly  and 
thoroughly. 


48  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

Supplies.  All  water  supplies  must  be  brought  to- 
gether below  the  dry  valve  so  that  they  will  feed  the 
sprinklers  through  the  valve. 

Size  of  Systems.  The  number  of  sprinklers  on  one 
dry  system  is  limited  to  500  sprinkler  heads,  preferably 
not  over  300.  The  larger  the  system  the  longer  it  will 
take  for  water  to  reach  a  head  after  it  has  operated, 
because  of  the  larger  amount  of  air  to  be  exhausted. 
In  a  system  installed  in  a  grain  elevator  some  years  ago 
there  were  about  1500  heads  on  one  6-inch  dry  valve 
and  an  actual  test  showed  that  it  would  take  the  water 
four  minutes  to  reach  a  head  150  feet  above  the  valve. 
Most  of  this  time  was  taken  in  reducing  the  air  pressure 
through  one  open  head  to  a  point  that  would  allow  the 
valve  to  trip.  In  a  system  installed  under  the  present 
rules  it  should  not  take  more  than  20  to  40  seconds  for 
the  water  to  reach  any  head  after  it  has  opened. 

Where  more  than  one  valve  is  needed  in  a  building  the 
system  should  be  divided  horizontally  instead  of  verti- 
cally. In  other  words  the  basement,  first  and  second 
floors  might  be  on  one  valve  and  the  third,  fourth 
and  fifth  floors  on  another  valve.  If  the  system  were 
divided  vertically  with  half  of  each  floor  on  one  valve 
and  the  other  half  on  the  other  valve,  a  fire  starting  near 
the  center  of  a  floor  might  open  heads  on  one  system 
and  then  spread  to  the  section  controlled  by  the  other 
valve.  This  would  necessitate  the  operation  of  the  other 
dry  valve,  with  the  resulting  delay,  at  a  time  when  any 
delay  might  be  quite  serious.  Where  the  systems  are 
divided  by  fire  walls  this  rule  would  not  apply. 

Air-filling  Pipe.  An  air  pump  is  necessary  to  pump 
air  into  the  system.  The  connection  from  the  air  pump 
to  the  system  should  be  made  at  the  dry  valve  and  there 
should  be  a  shut-off  and  check  valve  in  the  air  pipe 
close  to  the  system.  The  check  valve  prevents  the  air 
in  the  system  from  leaking  out  through  the  air  pump  or 


DRY   SYSTEMS  AND   DRY   VALVES 


49 


through  any  break  that  might  occur  in  the  air  pipe  be- 
hind the  check. 

Enclosure  of  Valve.  The  dry  valve  should  be  so 
located  that  it  will  not  freeze.  If  in  a  cold  building,  it 
can  either  be  in  a  pit  or  else  in  a  frostproof  closet.  In 
any  case  the  enclosure  should  be  of  sufficient  size  to  give 
2J  feet  on  all  sides  of  the  valve.  The  closet  can  be 


Ait  pip«  jrom  Steam 
Ml  compressor    — 

V^  Outlet  JOT  r»  H  dchmcj 
Iriapectoi's  533*  

Door  to  b«  hung  on  — -» 
hinge«  and  lightly 

secured  with 

pad  locK. 


Lantern  ^or  warmth 
OT»  cold  mqhti. 


Space  unde.'  -|looT. 


4-Spacefillect 
wiVhtRnbatXot 

wool 


Larlh 


DRY  VALVE  CLOSET. 
A,  flanged  dummy. 

heated  with  steam,  gas,  electricity  or  a  lard  oil  lantern. 
A  sprinkler,  connected  to  the  main  riser  below  the  dry 
valve,  should  be  located  in  the  closet. 

Test  Pipes.     A  2-inch  test  pipe  is  now  required  on 
the  riser  just  below  the  dry  valve  so  that  the  water 


50  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

supply  can  be  thoroughly  tested.  This  is  in  addition  to 
the  drain  pipe  above  the  dry  valve.  This  is  of  great 
importance  for  without  it  no  adequate  test  can  be  made 
to  prove  that  water  in  proper  volume  is  in  the  pipes  up 
to  the  dry  valve. 

Air  Compressor.  An  air  compressor  or  air  pump 
should  be  provided  of  sufficient  capacity  to  increase  the 
air  pressure  in  the  system  at  least  one  pound  in  two  min- 
utes. With  such  a  pump,  it  should  not  take  over  60 
minutes  to  pump  up  a  system.  With  some  of  the  pumps 
formerly  furnished,  it  often  took  a  day  to  do  this  and 
during  the  interval  the  system  was  out  of  commission. 
Steam  or  electrically  driven  pumps  are  preferable  to 
power  pumps  as  they  are  more  reliable. 

The  air  pump  should  draw  its  supply  from  some  place 
where  the  air  is  dry  and  not  too  warm.  Unless  this  is 
done,  moisture-laden  air,  which  will  condense  and  may 
cause  trouble,  will  be  pumped  into  the  pipes.  It  is  often 
desirable  to  take  the  air  from  out  of  doors.  A  very 
good  plan  is  to  draw  the  air  through  a  reservoir  or  tank 
of  about  30  gallons  capacity  containing  10  to  15  pounds 
of  granulated  calcium  chloride  which  absorbs  the  mois- 
ture and  leaves  the  air  very  dry.  The  end  of  the  suc- 
tion pipe  should  be  screened  to  prevent  drawing  in  any 
foreign  material. 

Auxiliary  Dry  System.  Where  the  larger  part  of  a 
sprinkler  system  must -be  dry,  it  is  desirable  to  pipe  the 
entire  equipment  on  the  dry  system;  but  where  less 
than  25  per  cent  must  be  dry,  a  separate  dry  valve  should 
be  installed  to  control  this  section,  and  the  rest  of  the 
system  should  be  wet  pipe.  Show  windows  and  stair 
towers  come  under  this  heading.  There  is  always  a 
temptation  to  shut  off  the  sprinklers  in  such  places 
during  cold  weather,  but  this  is  undesirable  and  should 
only  be  done  in  extreme  cases  and  with  the  consent  of 
the  inspection  department  having  jurisdiction.  It  is 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  51 

particularly  important  to  keep  the  sprinklers  in  show 
windows  in  commission  at  all  times  as  there  is  consider- 
able hazard  there,  especially  at  Christmas  time,  and  a 
number  of  fires  have  been  caused  by  the  elaborate  illu- 
mination installed  in  these  windows. 

In  order  to  save  the  expense  of  a  dry  valve  it  is  some- 
times feasible  to  use  an  ordinary  check  valve,  pumping 
up  a  heavy  air  pressure  above  it.  This  should  only  be 
done  where  there  are  but  few  heads  involved  and  where 
the  water  supply  is  of  steady  and  not  of  too  heavy 
pressure.  The  air  pressure  must  considerably  exceed 
the  water  pressure  in  such  a  case  but  the  time  necessary 
for  the  water  to  reach  a  head  is  not  excessive  as  the 
volume  of  air  to  be  exhausted  is  small.  The  check  valve 
like  a  dry  valve  should  be  primed  with  water  to  make  it 
tight. 

Flanged  Dummy.  A  flanged  dummy,  or  section  of 
pipe  of  the  same  length  as  the  dry  valve,  is  required  with 
each  dry  system.  This  is  to  be  used  to  replace  the  dry 
valve  in  case  the  latter  has  to  be  sent  away  for  repairs. 
If  the  repairs  are  made  in  mild  weather  the  water  can 
then  be  kept  on  the  system  until  the  valve  has  been 
replaced. 

EARLY   SYSTEMS 

One  of  the  first  attempts  to  prevent  freezing  in  a 
sprinkler  system  was  in  1861  when  Osmund  Williams 
patented  a  non-freezing  chemical  solution  to  be  used  in 
sprinkler  pipes.  The  Harkness  system  also  used  a  simi- 
lar solution. 

In  1864  W m.  Gilbert,  Edwin  Cooper  and  G.  R.  Webster 
made  a  fusible  cord  of  gutta  percha,  chloride  of  sulphur, 
sulphuret  of  antimony,  copper  bronze  and  naphtha.  This 
melted  at  from  90°  to  120°  F.  and  was  arranged  so  that 
when  it  fused  it  would  release  the  hammer  of  an  alarm 
and  also  open  the  water  valve  on  a  sprinkler  supply  pipe. 


52  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

John  W.  Bishop  of  New  Haven  suggested  a  dry-pipe 
valve  in  1879  and  took  out  patents  in  1881.  This  con- 
sisted of  a  vertically  rising  valve  closing  the  water  port. 
A  stem  on  the  upper  side  of  the  valve  was  clamped  to 
an  elastic  diaphragm  of  a  much  larger  area  than  the 
water  valve.  Water  was  allowed  to  enter  the  system 
above  the  diaphragm  to  a  sufficient  height  to  hold  the 
valve  closed  by  pressing  on  the  upper  side  of  the  dia- 
phragm. There  was  a  by-pass  containing  a  cock  nor- 
mally closed,  extending  from  below  the  water  valve  to 
the  space  under  the  diaphragm. 

A  system  of  cords  containing  fusible  links  at  short 
intervals  was  strung  along  the  ceiling  near  the  sprinklers 
and  so  arranged  that  when  any  link  melted,  a  weighted 
lever  connected  to  the  cock  was  released.  This  opened 
the  cock  in  the  by-pass  and  allowed  water  pressure  to 
enter  the  space  under  the  diaphragm.  This  counter- 
acted the  pressure  above  the  diaphragm  and  allowed 
the  water  pressure  in  the  main  pipe  to  open  the  water 
valve. 

Another  early  system  was  the  Mackey,  installed  by 
J.  C.  Mackey  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  in  conjunction  with 
the  sprinkler  head  of  the  same  name.  In  this  system  a 
gate  valve  normally  closed  and  with  a  weighted  arm 
kept  the  water  out  of  the  system,  no  air  pressure  being 
used.  There  was  an  auxiliary  thermostat  system  in- 
stalled with  a  thermostat  near  each  sprinkler.  The 
weighted  arm  of  the  valve  was  held  by  an  electrically 
operated  tripping  device  connected  to  the  thermostat 
system. 

In  case  of  fire  a  sprinkler  opened  and  the  thermostat 
near  it  also  operated.  This  closed  an  electrical  circuit 
through  an  electro-magnet  and  tripped  the  weighted 
arm.  The  valve  was  thereby  opened  and  water  allowed 
to  enter  the  system. 

Mr.  Frederick  Grinnell  took  out  his  first  patent  on  a 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  53 

dry  valve  in  1879.  This  consisted  of  a  horizontal  check 
valve  seating  vertically  and  with  a  stem  running  in 
guides.  A  system  of  levers  was  used  to  hold  this  valve 
securely  closed.  A  small  diaphragm  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  casting  acted  on  a  rod  which  was  arranged  to  trip 
the  levers.  Air  pressure  pumped  into  the  pipes  above 
the  check  valve  held  this  diaphragm  down.  When  the 
air  pressure  was  released  the  diaphragm,  actuated  by  a 
weighted  lever  or  spring,  was  forced  up  and  this  motion 
tripped  the  levers  and  allowed  the  valve  to  open.  This 
valve  was  self-contained,  except  for  an  alarm  attach- 
ment, and  was  far  superior  in  principle  to  many  that 
succeeded  it. 

The  alarm  connection  consisted  of  a  lever  attached  to 
the  water  valve  and  extending  through  a  stuffing  box 
to  the  outside.  The  movement  of  the  check  valve  was 
used  to  trip  a  mechanical  gong. 

The  first  valve  to  be  generally  used  was  the  Grinnell 
differential  "  bellows  type  "  invented  in  1885.  The  dif- 
ferential valve  No.  12  which  succeeded  it  in  1890  was 
very  widely  used  —  perhaps  more  so  than  any  other 
valve,  and  the  field  experience  was  remarkably  success- 
ful. 

Amongst  the  other  early  dry  systems  was  the  Gray, 
first  patented  in  1884.  This  used  an  auxiliary  system 
of  pipes  for  the  air  pressure  and  was  quite  extensively 
installed.  Mr.  Gray  patented  seven  other  dry-pipe 
valves  and  systems  between  1884  and  1902  but  most  of 
them  had  very  limited  use. 

The  Walworth  Manufacturing  Co.  installed  a  limited 
number. of  dry  systems  but  their  valves  were  cumber- 
some and  unreliable  and  they  preferred  to  install  wet- 
pipe  equipments. 

Many  of  the  older  valves  were  very  unreliable  and  but 
few  that  have  been  in  use  for  over  twenty  years  can 
be  considered  efficient  today.  The  valves  made  today 


54  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

are  very  reliable  when  properly  installed  and  carefully 
maintained.  They  all  require  careful  supervision  to  see 
that  water  is  kept  drained  from  the  pipes  and  sufficient 
air  pressure  maintained  at  all  times. 

REQUIREMENTS  FOR  DRY  VALVES 

The  following  are  the  more  important  general  re- 
quirements which  an  approved  dry  valve  should  fulfill 
although  a  valve  fulfilling  them  all  is  not  necessarily 
satisfactory. 

Should  be  strong  and  simple  in  design  and  construction  and 
capable  of  withstanding  300  pounds  pressure. 

Should  not  cause  excessive  loss  of  hydraulic  head. 

Should  not  depend  upon  delicate  adjustments  and  should  not  be 
subject  to  misadjustments  as  a  result  of  wear,  repair  or  reassem- 
bling. 

Should  have  all  working  parts  enclosed. 

Should  not  be  easily  affected  by  corrosion,  mud  or  pipe  scale. 

Should  have  an  opening  action  giving  direct  relief  to  water  valve. 

Should  not  have  an  opening  action  traversing  a  pressure-retain- 
ing joint  or  fit. 

Should  trip  between  6  and  14  pounds  air  pressure  under  service 
pressures  between  50  and  120  pounds. 

Should  not  trip  from  normal  leakage  at  air  or  water  seat;  or  if 
water  pressure  is  entirely  removed. 

Should  not  have  intermittent  action  after  opening. 

Design  should  be  such  that  valve  can  be  located  close  to  a  wall, 
floor  or  ceiling;  is  easy  to  repair  or  adjust;  will  not  spill  water 
when  it  operates;  cannot  be  set  unless  correctly  assembled;  is  not 
easily  gagged;  is  not  readily  water  columned;  air  pressure  seats  not 
likely  to  require  regrinding. 


ALPHABETICAL  LIST  OF  DRY  VALVES 
ASSOCIATED 

Manufactured    by   Associated  Automatic   Sprinkler   Co., 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Details  not  yet  made  public. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES 


55 


DIAGRAM  OF  CONNECTIONS  TO 

ASSOCIATED 
DRY  PIPE  VALVE 

B-MODEL-A 

MANUFACTURED  BY 

ASSOCIATED  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  C. 


BROWN 

Manufactured  by  the  Automatic  Fire  Alarm  &  Extin- 
guisher Co.,  New  York. 

Mechanical  valve.  Opinion  of  the  Device  and  Material 
Committee  of  the  National  Fire  Protection  Association, 
November,  1904. 

1.  Liable  to  be  inoperative  under  ordinary  service  conditions. 

2.  Has  opening  action  failing  to  give  direct  relief  to  water  valve. 

3.  Has  opening  action  traversing  a  pressure-retaining  joint  or  fit. 

4.  Working  parts  not  satisfactorily  enclosed. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable. 


56 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


CATARACT 

Automatic  Sprinkler  Equipment  Co.,  Chicago,  III. 

1905.  This  was  a  valve  of  simple  construction  and 
of  the  mechanical  type.  There  were  two  vertical  clap- 
pers seating  on  horizontal  valve 
seats  with  an  intermediate  space 
between.  The  lower  or  water 
clapper  was  held  closed  by  a  stem 
bearing  against  two  hinged  levers 
forming  a  toggle  joint.  The  up- 
per ends  of  these  levers  rested  in 
a  cup-shaped  depression  in  the 
base  of  the  upper  or  air  valve. 
The  leverage  was  such  as  to  cause 
the  valve  to  trip  at  very  low  air 
P  pressure :  namely,  2  pounds  air 
under  44  pounds  water,  and  5 
pounds  air  under  about  85  pounds 
water. 

Criticized  by  the  Underwriters' 
Laboratories  in  February,  1907, 
as  follows: 


CATARACT  DRY  VALVE. 
(Section.) 

A,  air  clapper. 
W,  water  clapper. 
S,  stem. 
L,  levers. 


1.  Low  trip  point. 

2.  Adjusting    mechanism    for   water 

valve. 

3.  Friction  loss. 

4.  Effects  of  corrosion. 

5.  Features  of  design  and  construc- 

tion. 


Third  sample,  October,  1907,  criticized  by  Under- 
writers' Laboratories  as  follows: 

Effects  of  compression  screw  on  trip  point  renders  valve  liable  to 
water  column  on  low  pressures  and  necessitates  excessive  air  pres- 
sures on  high-service  pressures. 


Rating:  Unreliable. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES 


57 


CLAPP 

Made  by  Clapp  Automatic  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Chicago. 

1-1890.     Mechanical  type.     Angle  valve  with  water 

clapper  seating  horizontally.     Stem   on   upper  side  of 

water  valve  passed  through  top  of  casing,  a  tight  joint 


Fr&l. 


CLAPP  DRY  VALVE  1. 

(Part  section.) 

D,  water  clapper,    d,  stem,    e,  diaphragm,    g,  m,  k,  levers. 
/3,  tripping  diaphragm. 

being  made  by  use  of  a  flexible  diaphragm.  Stem  held 
down  by  a  system  of  levers.  When  the  air  pressure 
dropped,  a  diaphragm  normally  held  up  by  the  air 
pressure  fell,  thus  allowing  a  weighted  lever  to  drop  and 
trip  the  levers.  There  was  no  air  check  and  the  air 
pressure  rested  on  the  upper  side  of  the  water  valve. 


58 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


But  few  were  made. 

Opinion  of  the  Device  and  Material  Committee  of  the 
National  Fire  Protection  Association,  1904: 

1.  Liable  to  be  inoperative  under  ordinary  service  conditions. 

2.  Easily  affected  by  exterior  corrosion. 

3.  Operating  action  does  not  give  direct  relief  to  water  valve. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable. 

2-1891.     Piston  type.     Angle  valve  with  vertical  air 
check,  and  horizontal  water  valve  opening  against  water 


CLAPP  DRY  VALVE  A. 

(Section.) 

k,  water  clapper.  /,  piston,  m1,  air  clapper,  p,  by-pass  to  space 
behind  piston,  pl,  valve  in  by-pass,  q,  diaphragm,  r,  s,  levers 
tripping  valve  in  by-pass. 

pressure.  There  was  a  piston  of  slightly  larger  area  than 
the  water  valve  connected  to  the  valve  by  a  rod.  The 
sprinkler  supply  pipe  entered  the  device  between  the 
water  valve  and  the  piston.  A  by-pass  admitted  water 
pressure  to  the  further  side  of  the  piston  and  as  the  pres- 
sure was  balanced  on  each  side  of  the  piston,  the  water 
pressure  held  the  main  valve  closed.  When  the  air 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  59 

pressure  was  released,  a  diaphragm  connected  to  a 
weighted  lever  was  allowed  to  drop.  This  lever  opened 
a  drip  pipe  in  the  space  back  of  the  piston  thus  releasing 
the  pressure  there.  The  water  pressure  acting  with 
more  force  on  the  piston  than  on  the  valve  pushed  the 
piston  back  and  opened  the  valve.  Made  up  to  1893. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report,  1903: 

Thirteen  features  criticized. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable. 

Note  :  A  slight  modification  of  this  valve  is  shown  in  Cut  A. 

CLAYTON 

Ernest  S.  Clayton,  Newark,  N.  J.  Made  by  Indepen- 
dent Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Newark,  N.  J. 

1906.  This  was  a  differential  valve  of  the  balanced 
type.  It  consisted  of  two  valve  discs  held  together  by 
a  rod,  the  upper  disc  being  somewhat  larger  than  the 
lower  one.  The  water  entered  an  intermediate  space 
between  the  two  discs  and  held  them  up,  the  pressure 
being  greater  on  the  upper  disc.  There  was  a  small 
water  way  through  the  upper  disc  closed  by  a  loose 
stopper  held  in  place  by  a  diaphragm.  The  air  pressure 
in  the  system  ordinarily  held  the  stopper  in  the  opening. 
When  the  air  pressure  was  reduced  the  stopper  was  re- 
leased and  water  entered  the  chamber  above  the  valve. 
This  created  an  equal  pressure  on  the  upper  and  lower 
sides  of  the  upper  disc,  and  the  water  pressure  acting  on 
the  lower  disc  (then  unbalanced)  opened  the  valve. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report,  May,  1907. 

Features  criticized: 

1.  General  principle  of  operation. 

2.  Necessity  of  delicate  adjustment. 

3.  Danger  of  water  columning  by  leaking  at  water  seat. 

4.  Delay  in  action. 

5.  Features  of  design  and  construction. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 
Present  rating:  Unreliable. 


60  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

CROWDER 

Crowder  Bros.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

1-1907.  Mechanical  valve.  Large  casting  with  swing 
check  valve  for  air  seat  and  a  similar  check  for  water 
seat,  both  seating  horizontally.  The  water  check  held 
in  place  by  a  series  of  external  and  internal  levers  and 
weights  was  tripped  by  the  release  of  air  pressure  in  a 
small  air  pot. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Reports,  January,  1907, 
and  September,  1911. 

Various  criticisms. 

2-1913.     Modified  form.     Features  criticized: 

1.  Ease  of  gagging. 

2.  Improper  safeguard   against   leaving  intermediate   chamber 
open. 

3.  Failure  to  open. 

4.  Trip  or  operating  point. 

5.  Effects  of  corrosion. 

6.  Other  features  of  design  and  construction. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 
Rating:  Unreliable. 

DIXON 

J.  H.  Dixon,  Erie,  Pa. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report,  1904,  on  undevel- 
oped device. 

Practically  all  features  criticized. 
Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

DODGE 

Dodge  Manufacturing  Co.,  Mishauwaka,  Ind. 

Mechanical  valve.  Water  clapper  was  held  in  place 
by  a  system  of  levers  and  an  inverted  auxiliary  air 
clapper.  When  the  air  pressure  was  released  the  air 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND   DRY  VALVES  61 

clapper  dropped,  thus  releasing  a  weighted  lever  con- 
nected with  the  water  clapper. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report,  April,  1903.  6  fea- 
tures criticized. 

March,  1904.     One  feature  criticized. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


GLOBE   OR   GARRETT 

C.   B.  Garrett,   Minneapolis,  Minn.     Assigned  to  Globe 
Automatic  Sprinkler  Co. 

A-ipo6.  Mechanical  valve  with  two  clappers.  Upper 
or  air  clapper  seated  at  an  angle  of  about  45  degrees. 
Lower  or  water  seat  was  horizontal.  Lower  clapper 
held  in  place  by  a  long  hinged  lever  bearing  against 
upper  clapper. 

Several  laboratory  reports  between  July,  1910,  and 
February,  1913. 

6-1913.  This  consists  of  a  casting  containing  an 
air  and  a  water  clapper.  There  is  also  an  auxiliary  air 
check  located  in  an  offset.  The  main  water  clapper  is 
held  closed  by  a  system  of  levers  connected  to  the  aux- 
iliary air  check. 

Criticized  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in  Aug- 
ust, 1913,  as  follows: 

1.  Strength  of  parts. 

2.  Erratic  action  of  parts. 

3.  Ease  of  gagging. 

4.  Liability  of  improper  adjustment  of  parts  and  other  features 
of  design  and  construction. 

Description.  29,  water  clapper.  33,  air  clapper.  7, 
air  pot  clapper.  28,  compression  lever.  26,  23,  16,  15, 
14,  13,  12,  10,  levers  holding  air  clapper  in  place. 

Rating:   Not  standard. 


62  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


GLOBE  DRY  VALVE. 
Interior  View.     Tripped. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY   VALVES 


63 


© — • 


GRAY 


GLOBE  DRY  VALVE. 

(Section.) 
See  description,  page  197. 


Manufactured  by  Gray  Sprinkler  Co.,  New  York.  In- 
stalled by  Insurers  Automatic  Fire  Extinguisher  Co., 
New  York. 

1-1884.  Mr.  Frank  Gray  of  New  York  patented  a 
dry-pipe  system  in  1884  in  which  an  auxiliary  system 
of  small  piping  was  used  for  the  air  pipes.  This  piping 
was  run  parallel  and  close  to  the  sprinkler  piping  and 
small  fusible  plugs  were  inserted  in  this  piping  near  each 
sprinkler.  Air  was  pumped  into  the  smaller  system  of 


64 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 


pipes  and  this  pressure  acted  upon  a  differential  valve 
in  the  main  riser.  The  pipe  running  to  the  sprinklers 
connected  to  the  intermediate  space  of  the  differential 
valve,  the  valve  being  in  the  form  of  two  pistons  with  a 
travel  of  several  inches. 


F&f. 


GRAY  DRY  SYSTEM  2. 

D,  sprinkler,     d,  fusible  plug  in  small  piping.     B,  angle  valve. 
M ,  m,  levers  holding  valve  closed,    i,  diaphragm. 


2-1886.  In  1886  and  1887  the  releasing  device  was 
modified  and  instead  of  a  differential  valve,  an  angle 
valve  held  closed  by  a  series  of  levers  attached  to  a  dia- 
phragm was  used. 

Both  systems  used  to  a  considerable  extent.  Now 
practically  obsolete. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY   VALVES  65 

Device  and  Material  Committee  opinion,  1904: 

1.  Opening  action  does  not  give  direct  relief  to  water  valve. 

2.  Opening  action  traversing  a  pressure  retaining  joint. 

3.  Working  parts  not  satisfactorily  enclosed. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable. 

GRINNELL 

Manufactured  by  Providence  Steam  &  Gas  Pipe  Co. 

i-Bellows,  1885.  This  '  was  a  differential  valve. 
Water  and  air  clappers  held  together  by  a  rod  which  also 
acted  as  a  guide.  Water  clapper  was  metal  seating  on  a 
horizontal  metal  seat.  Air  clapper  attached  to  the  cast- 
ing by  rubber  bellows  giving  a  total  area  about  eight 


GRINNELL  "BELLOWS"  DRY  VALVE. 

(Section.) 
See  description,  page  202. 

times  that  of  the  water  valve.     The  rubber  bellows  was 
subject  to  deterioration  and  sediment  was  apt  to  collect 
in  fold  of  same.     Used  successfully  for  several  years. 
Now  practically  obsolete. 
Present  rating:  Unreliable. 


66  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

Description.  The  water  clapper  F  is  attached  to  a 
spindle  carrying  the  air  clapper  L  seating  on  G,  both 
seats  being  metal  to  metal.  There  is  a  large  rubber 
diaphragm  clamped  to  the  edge  of  the  air  valve  and 
also  to  the  outer  casting.  This  is  folded  like  a  bellows 
to  allow  considerable  movement  of  the  air  clapper.  The 
spindle  runs  in  four  guides  and  can  be  raised  until  a 
shoulder  comes  in  contact  with  a  stop,  shown  near  the 
top  of  the  device.  There  is  a  single  step  latch  at  J  to 
hold  the  valve  up  when  it  opens.  M  is  an  alarm  attach- 
ment operating  at  K.  There  is  an  automatic  drain  for 
the  intermediate  space,  an  air  test  pipe  at  E,  and  a  cup 
for  priming  the  space  above  the  valve  with  water. 

The  differential  is  due  to  the  difference  in  area  between 
the  water  clapper  F  and  the  air  clapper  L,  including  the 
horizontally  projected  area  of  the  rubber  diaphragm. 

When  the  valve  opens,  the  water  and  the  air  clappers 
move  upwards  until  the  spindle  reaches  the  stop,  the 
rubber  diaphragm  being  distorted  to  allow  this  motion. 
The  water  enters  the  system  by  flowing  around  the 
water  clapper  F  and  the  air  seat  G. 

Note:  Eleven  minor  changes  were  made  in  this  valve  between 
1885  and  1890  but  they  were  mostly  of  minor  importance.  These 
constitute  the  eleven  types  of  valve  made  prior  to  the  so-called 
No.  12. 

GRINNELL 

General  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Providence,  R.  I. 

12-1890.  Differential  valve.  Air  and  water  valve  in 
one  flower  pot  shaped  casting.  Water  seat  metal  to 
metal.  Air  seat  consisted  of  flexible  rubber  ring  clamped 
to  edge  of  valve.  Latch  actuated  by  spring  held  up  the 
valve  when  it  once  opened  and  prevented  columning. 
Electric  alarm  connection  consisted  of  metal  diaphragm 
attached  to  plug  which  was  screwed  to  casing  at  inter- 
mediate space.  This  style  of  electrical  circuit  closer 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  67 

was  subject  to  failure  after  a  few  years  service  owing  to 
corrosion. 

Valve  criticized  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories  as  fol- 
lows: 

1.  Latch  D  subject  to  failure. 

2.  Chance  of  trouble  from  scale,  etc.,  on  valve  seats. 

3.  Automatic  drain  defective. 

4.  Hand  hole  plugs  in  intermediate  space  liable  to  be  left  out  or 
to  blow  out. 

Field  experience  generally  very  satisfactory. 
Rating:  Not  standard.     Generally  satisfactory. 


GRINNELL  DRY  VALVE  No.  12. 

(Section.) 

Description.  The  valve  C  had  a  water  seat  at  A  and 
an  air  seat  at  B.  The  water  seat  was  metal  to  metal 
but  a  rubber  ring  was  clamped  to  the  outside  edge  of 


68  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

the  air  seat  to  give  flexibility.  The  latch  D  operated 
by  a  heavy  spring  held  the  valve  up  when  it  opened  and 
prevented  water  column.  There  was  a  step  on  this 
latch  part  way  up  and  the  valve  could  be  latched  by 
this  step  or  by  the  top  of  the  latch  depending  upon  how 
much  it  opened.  A  hand-hole  plug  /  could  be  removed 
for  cleaning  the  water  seat  or  examining  the  intermediate 
space.  The  differential  was  about  7  to  1.  There  was 
an  automatic  drain  in  the  intermediate  chamber  to  take 
care  of  any  water  that  might  leak  past  the  water  valve. 

To  set  the  valve  the  water  was  shut  off  and  hand-hole 
plug  was  removed.  After  wiping  the  water  seat  clean 
the  plug  E  was  removed,  the  latch  D  was  pulled  out  and 
the  valve  allowed  to  drop  onto  its  seats.  Priming  water 
was  then  poured  in  above  the  air  seat.  The  air  pressure 
was  then  pumped  in  and  the  water  valve  opened. 

Tests.     Valve  should  be  tested  as  follows: 

1.  For  water  column  by  opening  test  pipe  above  the  valve  to 
see  if  any  water  has  accumulated.     If  so  it  should  be  drained  off. 

2.  For  strength  of  spring  in  latch  D.     This  is  done  by  unscrewing 
the  small  plug  covering  the  latch  and  pulling  on  the  ring  attached 
to  the  latch  to  see  that  it  is  in  working  order.     Some  trouble  has 
occurred  from  defective  latches. 

3.  Free  way.     Open  hand-hole  plug  J  to  see  that  there  is  no 
obstruction  in  the  intermediate  space  which  would  prevent  the 
valve  from  opening. 

Note:  In  1897  the  new  circuit  closer  consisting  of  a  diaphragm 
operating  a  knife  switch  was  used. 


GRINNELL   STRAIGHTWAY 

General  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Providence,  R.  I. 


Differential  type.  Lower  part  of  valve  is 
in  the  form  of  a  gate  valve  and  is  attached  to  a  piston 
working  in  a  horizontal  cylinder.  When  the  valve  opens 
this  part  is  pushed  to  one  side  by  the  water  pressure, 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES 


69 


leaving  a  free  way.     Cylinder  of  bronze, 
of  body  of  valve  lined  with  Babbitt  metal. 
Rating:  Approved. 


Upper  part 


GRINNBLL  DRY  VALVE. 

Straightway  Type. 
General  view  showing  fittings. 

B-IQIO.     Same  as  type  A  except  that  cylinder  and 
valve  body  are  of  iron,  copper  plated  on  the  inside. 
Rating:  Approved. 


70 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


Description.  The  valve  J,  J,  F,  F,  has  a  water  seat 
at  F  and  an  air  seat  at  G.  The  upper  part  of  the  valve 
is  attached  to  a  flexible  diaphragm  B  clamped  between 
two  parts  of  the  valve  body.  A  piston  D  is  attached  to 
the  movable  part  of  the  valve  by  a  rod.  This  piston 
fits  loosely  in  a  cylinder  made  of  iron,  copper  plated  and 


GRINNELL  DRY  VALVE. 

Straightway  Type. 

(Section.) 


tinned.  There  is  a  vent  E  at  the  end.  There  is  a  drain 
pipe  P  connecting  with  the  intermediate  space  and  hav- 
ing an  automatic  ball  drip  on  the  end.  When  the  air 
pressure  on  the  diaphragm  and  air  valve  is  sufficiently 
reduced,  the  water  pressure  will  force  open  the  valve  a 
small  amount.  The  water  entering  the  intermediate 
space  will  fill  it  and  then  force  the  piston  D  to  the 
further  end  of  the  cylinder  where  it  closes  the  vent  E. 
This  carries  with  it  the  valve  disc,  leaving  a  free  water 
way  through  the  system. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES 


71 


Tests. 

1.  Open  draw-off  pipe  to  test  for  water  column. 

2.  Open  hand-hole  plate  to  intermediate  space  occa- 
sionally to  see  that  there  are  no  obstructions  and  that 
water  valve  is  tight. 

HIBBARD 

1-1894.     Made  by  American  Fire  Extinguisher  Co., 
Chicago. 


LOW  AIR   AL/tRM 
fIRC  ALARM 


HIBBARD  DRY  VALVE  1. 

(Section.) 

A,  B,  C,  water  valve.     M,  small  water  valve  held  in  place  by  air 
valve  E.     N,  draw  off  pipe.     S,  priming  cup. 


72  AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

Differential  type.  The  air  check  seated  on  a  flexible 
spun  brass  seat  and  held  a  small  water  valve  on  its  seat. 
When  the  air  pressure  was  released,  the  water  flowing 
through  the  small  valve  relieved  the  pressure  on  the 
upper  side  of  a  double-seated  water  valve.  This  latter 
valve  was  then  raised  by  the  water  pressure  in  the 
system  opening  the  main  water  way. 

Only  about  100  made.  Manufacture  discontinued 
in  1900. 

Opinion  of  Device  and  Material  Committee,  1904: 

1.  Susceptible  to  internal  corrosion. 

2.  Dependent  upon  delicate  adjustment. 

3.  Liable  to  permit  excessive  air  leakage. 

4.  Cannot  be  set  without  risk  of  water  damage. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable. 

2-1898.  Made  by  National  Fire  Extinguisher  Co., 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Differential  counterweighted. 

Opinion  of  Device  and  Material  Committee,  1904: 

1.  Difficult  to  set  without  producing  water  column. 

2.  Subject  to  disablement  from  back  slap. 

3.  Adjustment  easily  destroyed  by  minor  repairs. 

Manufacture  discontinued  in  1901 .  Very  few  in  service. 
Rating:  Unreliable. 

3-1898.  Made  by  Mailers,  Allen,  Fraser  &  Co., 
Chicago,  III. 

"  Pile  driver"  type.  This  consisted  of  two  swing 
checks  seating  horizontally  in  the  main  water-way  with 
an  intermediate  space  between.  The  lower  or  water 
check  was  held  closed  by  a  lever  extending  through  a 
hole  in  the  casing  to  the  outside  and  pivoted  to  a  ver- 
tical rod.  There  was  a  large  weight  enclosed  in  a  cylin- 
drical casing  and  sliding  on  this  rod.  When  the  valve 
was  set,  this  weight  was  held  up  by  a  lever  connected 
to  a  small  auxiliary  air  valve.  When  the  air  pressure 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND    DRY  VALVES  73 

was  released  the  weight  fell  and  striking  the  end  of  the 
water  valve  lever  opened  this  valve. 

Over  100  made.     Manufacture  discontinued  in  1900. 

Opinion  of  Device  and  Material  Committee,  1904: 

1.  Liable  to  be  inoperative  under  service  conditions. 

2.  Opening  action  fails  to  give  direct  relief  to  water  valve. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 

4-1909.     Geo.  E.  Hibbard,  Chicago. 

Differential  type.  Plans  submitted  in  December,  1909, 
and  criticized  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories.  Revised 
plans  submitted,  1911.  No  finished  valve  submitted. 
Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

HIGGINS 

Kellogg -Mackay '-Gamer 'on  Co.,  Chicago. 
Opinion  of  Device  and  Material  Committee,  1904: 

1.  Liable  to  be  inoperative  under  service  conditions. 

2.  Opening  action  not  positive  under  high-service  pressure. 

3.  Opening  action  fails  to  give  direct  relief  to  water  valve. 

4.  Opening  action  traverses  a  pressure-retaining  joint. 

But  few  made.     Manufacture  discontinued  in  1901. 
Rating :  Unreliable. 

IDEAL 

Ideal  Automatic  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Philadelphia. 

"  Ever  ready  "  dry-pipe  valve.  Plans  examined  anc' 
criticized  January,  1912,  and  March,  1913,  by  Under- 
writers' Laboratories.  No  working  device  submitted  to 
date. 

IDEAL 

Patented  by  John  H.  Derby,  Boston,  Mass. 

1-1899.  Mechanical  valve.  Water  clapper  held  closed 
by  toggle-joint  levers  bearing  against  a  spindle  and 


74  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

attached  to  air  clapper.  Air  clapper  of  larger  area  than 
water  clapper  and  of  inverted  type. 

2-1903.  Differential  valve.  Bronze  double-seated 
valve  placed  in  an  inverted  position,  the  lower  or  larger 
area  being  held  up  by  air  pressure.  «A  swing  check 
valve  kept  the  air  out  of  the  intermediate  space. 

Report  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories,  January,  1906. 
Features  criticized: 

1.  High  trip  point. 

2.  Arrangement  for  outside  connections. 

3.  Difficulty  of  repairs. 

4.  Weakness  of  parts. 

5.  Features  of  design  and  construction. 

3—1906.  Mechanical  valve  with  two  horizontally  seat- 
ing swing  checks.  Upper  or  air  check  held  the  lower 
check  closed  by  means  of  a  lever  and  a  strut. 

None  of  the  types  were  ever  put  on  the  market. 

INDEPENDENT 

Independent  Fire  Sprinkler  Co.,  Chicago,  III. 

1902.  Mechanical  valve.  Vertical  check  valve  held 
in  place  by  wedge.  A  small  auxiliary  air  valve  held  a 
train  of  levers  outside  the  valve  casing  in  position. 
These  levers  were  released  when  the  air  pressure  dropped, 
thus  releasing  a  heavy  weight.  This  gave  a  threaded 
spindle  a  quarter  turn  thus  pulling  out  the  wedge  so 
that  the  water  valve  could  open. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report,  March,  1902. 
Features  criticized: 

1.  Effects  of  water  column. 

2.  Opening  movement. 

3.  External  operating  parts. 

4.  Internal  sliding  parts  and  complication  of  parts. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND   DRY  VALVES 


75 


INTERNATIONAL   DIFFERENTIAL 
DRY  VALVE. 

(Section.) 


INTERNATIONAL 

International  Sprinkler  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.     Patented 
by  J.  C.  Scott,  August,  1900. 

1900.  Differential.  This  was  a  swing  check  valve 
seating  at  an  angle  of  about 
45  degrees.  There  was  a 
large  groove  or  intermediate 
space  in  the  valve  seat  giv- 
ing a  differential  of  4  to  1. 
An  0.  S.  &  Y.  gate  valve 
was  so  placed  that  the  stem 
would  hold  the  check  closed 
when  screwed  down.  This 
was  used  in  setting  the  valve. 
This  was  omitted  in  later 
type.  A  latch  operated  by 
an  external  spring  was  used  to  hold  the  valve  open  when 
it  tripped. 

Opinion  of  Device  and  Material  Committee,  1904: 

1.  Subject  to  injury  from  back-slap. 

2.  Has  opening  action  involving  traverse  of  a  pressure  retaining 
joint. 

3.  Unduly  subject  to  water  hammer. 

But  few  made.     Manufacture  discontinued  in  1901. 
Present  rating:  Unreliable. 

1902.     Mechanical.     Angle  valve. 

Vertically  seating  water  valve  held  in  place  by  a  system 
of  levers  and  weights,  the  last  lever  bearing  upon  a 
depression  in  the  lower  side  of  air  clapper.  Air  valve  a 
swing  check  seating  horizontally.  When  the  air  pressure 
is  released  the  leverage  forces  the  air  clapper  up,  thus 
tripping  the  system  of  levers  and  allowing  the  pressure 
in  the  supply  pipe  to  open  the  water  check. 


76  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

There  are  four  models  of  this  valve  varying  but  little 
except  that  in  the  first  model  the  plate  to  the  interme- 
diate space  could  be  removed  without  tripping  the  valve. 
This  allowed  the  examination  of  the  valve  seats  for 
leakage  but  was  undesirable  as  the  system  could  be  set 
up  with  the  plate  off  and  it  would  be  possible  to  forget 
to  replace  the  plate. 

Many  of  these  valves  have  been  installed. 

Field  experience  satisfactory. 

Rating:  Standard. 

Description.  The  water  supply  enters  horizontally 
and  is  held  back  by  a  vertically  seating  valve  12.  A 
swing  check  13  seating  horizontally  holds  the  air  pressure 
back  from  the  intermediate  space.  This  is  primed  with 
water  to  the  level  of  the  draw-off  pipe.  The  water  valve 
is  held  in  place  by  the  horizontal  lever  7  adjusted  by 
the  set  screw.  The  horizontal  lever  is  connected  with 
the  curved  lever  8  and  this  holds  up  a  pivoted  weight  6. 
This  weight  is  held  up  by  a  vertical  lever  10  bearing 
directly  on  the  under  side  of  the  air  clapper  13  and  at 
the  lower  end  on  a  short  lever  9.  Both  clappers  are  metal 
to  metal. 

When  the  air  pressure  is  released  the  vertical  lever  10 
is  pushed  up,  thus  releasing  the  weight  and  the  whole 
train  of  levers  that  holds  the  water  valve  in  place. 
When  the  water  valve  opens  it  swings  through  an  angle 
of  45  degrees  seating  tightly  on  the  opening  through 
which  the  levers  pass. 

The  alarm  attachments  are  similar  to  those  used  in 
the  International  alarm  valve  and  connect  with  the 
intermediate  space. 

Tests  and  Examinations.  Valve  should  be  tested  for 
water  column  by  opening  the  test  valve  above  the  air 
check. 

The  casing  around  the  levers  can  be  opened  to  see  that 
the  parts  are  properly  set  up  and  not  obstructed. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES 


77 


34 


TNTERNOTONAir 

DRY-PIPE  VALVE 


INTERNATIONAL  DRY-PIPE  VALVE. 
(Section.) 


78  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


"INTERNATIONAL"  DRY-PIPE  VALVE 
(Doors  open  showing  valve  set  up.) 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND   DRY  VALVES  79 

KANE 

John  Kane,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

1889.  A  globe  valve  with  a  sliding  spindle  controlled 
by  a  pivoted  lever  having  a  fixed  weight  at  one  end  and 
a  heavier  weight  resting  on  the  opposite  end  to  hold  the 
valve  normally  closed.  A  lighter  weighted  and  pivoted 
lever  actuated  by  a  diaphragm,  subjected  to  the  system 
pressure,  was  attached  to  a  releasing  mechanism  pivoted 
to  the  end  of  the  main  lever  in  such  a  way  that  when 
the  pressure  was  reduced  the  weighted  end  of  the  aux- 
iliary lever  dropped,  raising  the  opposite  end  and  dis- 
lodging the  heavy  weight  from  the  end  of  the  main 
lever.  Not  used  to  any  extent. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report,  1904.  Twelve 
features  criticized. 

Rating:   Unreliable. 

KERSTETER 

Made  by  C.  W.  Kersteter. 

1-1895.  Differential.  Horizontal  valve.  This  con- 
sisted of  a  differential  valve  with  air  and  water  seat  in 
one  plane.  This  was  located  in  a  casting  above  the 
main  water  way.  The  intermediate  space  was  in  the 
form  of  a  groove.  A  spindle  extended  from  this  valve 
to  a  globe  valve  located  in  the  main  water  way.  An 
air  pipe  extended  from  the  system  above  the  dry  valve 
to  the  space  over  the  differential  valve.  When  air 
pressure  was  released  the  differential  valve  was  forced 
up  carrying  with  it  the  globe  valve  and  opening .  the 
water  way. 

Device  and  Material  Committee  opinion,  1904: 

1.  Not  substantial  in  construction. 

2.  Not  designed  to  withstand  heavy  pressure. 

3.  Subject  to  intermittent  action  after  opening. 

4.  Invites  process  of  setting  which  may  leave  it  water  columned 
or  gagged. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 


80 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


KERSTETER 

Made  by  National  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Kansas  City. 

2-1901.  Mechanical  Valve.  Vertical  air  check  and 
swing  water  check  valve  in  main  water  way.  Water 
valve  held  closed  by  levers,  operated  by  an  auxiliary 
air  valve.  When  the  air  pressure  was  released,  the  air 
valve  was  pushed  up,  thus  releasing  a  rather  complicated 
mechanism  and  pulling  out  a  lever  which  wedged  the 
water  valve  in  place. 


KERSTETER  DRY  VALVE  2. 
(Section.) 

Report  of  Underwriters'  Laboratories,  1903,  criticized 
the  valve  as  follows: 

1.  Too  much  variation  in  adjustment. 

2.  Opening  action  not  positive. 

3.  Subject  to  false  tripping  and  misadjustment  as  a  result  of  wear. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  81 

•    4.   Invites  process  of  assembling  that  may  leave  it  gagged. 

5.  Not  designed  to  withstand  heavy  pressure. 

6.  Subject  to  clogging  by  mud,  etc. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 

LINN 

Made  by  A.  D.  Linn;  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan. 

1894.  Differential.  This  consisted  of  a  vertically 
rising  air  check  and  water  check  with  an  intermediate 
space  between.  The  air  seat  was  offset  so  that  it  did 
not  come  directly  above  the  water  valve.  The  air  check 
was  connected  to  a  hinged  lever  extending  outside  the 
casing  with  a  weight  on  the  end.  A  system  of  interior 
hinged  levers  connected  the  air  and  water  valves  so  as 
to  give  the  desired  differential. 

Manufacture  discontinued  in  1897. 

Opinion  of  Device  and  Material  Committee,  1904: 

1.  Not  suited  to  all  service  conditions. 

2.  Unduly  complicated. 

3.  Dependent  on  delicate  adjustments. 

4.  Comparatively  unsuccessful  when  corroded. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 

MACKEY 

John  C.  Mackey,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Gate  valve,  normally  closed  and  opened  in  case  of 
fire  by  means  of  an  auxiliary  thermostat  system.  There 
was  a  heavy  weighted  arm  connected  to  the  gate  valve. 
This  was  held  up  by  a  tripping  lever  C.  When  a  ther- 
mostat operated,  the  electro-magnet  D  was  energized 
and  this  pulled  the  tripping  lever  and  allowed  the  arm 
to  fall,  thus  opening  the  valve. 

Now  obsolete. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 


82 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


MACKEY  DRY  SYSTEM. 

A,  sprinkler.     B,  thermostat.     C,  tripping  lever.     D,  magnet. 
L,  lever.     V,  valve. 


MANUFACTURERS 

Manufacturers  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.x  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Later  "Automatic"  Sprinkler  Co.  of  America. 

1-1892.  Robert  Wood  Type.  Mechanical  valve,  angle 
type.  Swing  air  check,  seating  horizontally.  Sliding 
water  valve  seating  vertically.  Water  valve  held  in 
place  by  system  of  external  levers  and  weights.  An 
auxiliary  air  valve  connecting  with  sprinkler  system  en 
story  above,  to  prevent  water  columning,  held  levers 
in  place.  The  auxiliary  air  valve  was  metal  to  metal 
and  difficult  to  keep  tight. 

Criticized  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories,  1907,  as 
follows : 

1.  Invites  process  of  setting  that  will  leave  valve  gagged  or 
water  columned. 

2.  Permits  degree  of  variation  in  adjustment,  causing  excessive 
variation  in  trip  point. 

3.  Is  dependent  on  loose  parts. 

4.  Features  of  design  and  construction. 

Field  experience  unsatisfactory  after  a  number  of 
years  service  due  to  leaking  of  auxiliary  air  check  and 


DRY  SYSTEMS   AND   DRY  VALVES 


83 


MANUFACTURERS  DRY  VALVE. 

Robert  Wood  Type. 

(Section.) 


84 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


general  use  of  gaskets,  etc.,  to  make  it  tight.     A  large 
number  of  valves  failed  on  test  from  this  cause. 
Present  rating :  Unreliable  with  old  air  pot. 


"MANUfACTURER5"DRY-PIPEMVE 


MANUFACTURERS  DRY-PIPE  VALVE  3. 
(Section.) 

3-1907.     New  air  pot  of  larger  diameter.     Weights 
and  levers  enclosed  by  swinging  metal  doors.     Approved. 
Rating:  Standard. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  85 


MANUFACTURERS  DRY  VALVE. 
No.  3  Model.     General  View. 


86  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

Description.  The  water  valve  12  seats  vertically  and 
is  held  closed  by  horizontal  stem  adjusted  by  set  screw  7. 

This  stem  has  a  conical  shaped  enlargement  9  which, 
when  the  valve  opens,  tightly  closes  the  orifice  through 
which  it  passes.  A  train  of  levers  and  weights,  3,  5,  6, 
4,  2,  resting  finally  on  the  under  side  of  an  auxiliary  air 
valve  B,  holds  the  valve  closed.  The  main  air  check  is 
at  14  and  this  keeps  the  air  pressure  out  of  the  interme- 
diate space.  An  air  pipe  16,  connecting  with  the  sprink- 
ler system  on  the  2nd  floor,  holds  the  auxiliary  valve 
down.  When  the  air  pressure  is  reduced  the  train  "of 
levers  is  released  and  the  valve  is  opened  by  the  water 
pressure.  The  rotary  gong  is  connected  to  the  interme- 
diate space.  The  electric  circuit  closer  is  at  10  and  is 
operated  by  the  weight  5  striking  a  small  plunger. 

Tests  and  Examinations.  1.  Open  the  air  cock  above 
auxiliary  air  check  to  see  that  there  is  no  accumulation 
of  water  that  might  column  the  valve.  2.  Open  casing 
around  levers  to  see  that  they  are  properly  set  up  and 
not  obstructed.  3.  In  the  old  type  care  should  be  taken 
to  see  that  the  auxiliary  air  check  has  not  been  set  up 
with  a  gasket  or  other  foreign  material  and  that  the  un- 
enclosed levers  are  not  obstructed. 

NAGLE 

F.  Nagle.     Nagle  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.,  Chicago. 

About  1889.  This  was  a  differential  valve  with  a 
ratio  of  1  to  15. 

Description.  The  waste  valve  B  is  double  seated,  the 
intermediate  space  being  connected  to  the  atmosphere. 
The  small  outlet  above  this  valve  is  connected  to  the 
sprinkler  pipes  normally  under  air  pressure,  thus  allow- 
ing the  air  pressure  in  the  system  to  rest  on  top  of  this 
valve.  Water  pressure  from  the  main  supply  pipe  reaches 
the  lower  side  of  the  valve  B  through  the  by-pass  P. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND   DRY  VALVES 


87 


The  main  valve  H  is  also  a  differential  valve  seating  at 
a  and  6.  The  upper  area  is  60  per  cent  larger  than  the 
lower  area.  The  by-pass  P  allows  water  to  rest  above 
as  well  as  below  the  valve,  thus  holding  it  closed  on 
account  of  the  differential. 


NAGLE  DRY-PIPE  VALVE. 
(Section.) 


When  the  air  pressure  in  the  system  is  sufficiently  re- 
duced the  waste  valve  B  will  open.  The  by-pass  P 
being  smaller  than  the  waste  pipe  t,  the  water  pressure 
above  the  main  valve  is  soon  reduced  and  this  valve 
opens. 

There  is  a  pin  and  latch  connected  to  the  waste  valve 
B  which  operates  an  electric  bell  when  the  valve  opens. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


88 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


NERACHER 

Wm.  Neracher,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

1-1887.     Lever  type.     There  was  a  cock  in  the  main 
pipe  operated  by  a  lever  moving  through  an  angle  of 


NERACHER  DRY  VALVE  1. 

A,  cock  valve  in  main  riser  B.  AT,  P,  U-shaped  tube.  L,  pivot. 
D,  air  pump.  K,  weight,  g,  cord,  k,  pin  pulled  out  when 
U-tube  rocked  back,  thus  releasing  weight. 

90  degrees.  When  the  system  was  set  up  the  cock  was 
closed  and  the  lever  engaged  with  a  cord  and  weight 
connected  with  a  large  U-shaped  tube.  This  tube  had 
a  short  closed  end  and  a  longer  open  end  and  was  pivoted 
at  the  center  so  that  it  could  rock  back  and  forth.  It 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  89 

was  filled  with  water  up  to  the  level  of  the  top  of  the 
short  arm.  Air  was  pumped  into  the  system  above 
the  cock  and  a  flexible  tube  connecting  the  U-tube  to 
the  sprinkler  system  allowed  the  air  pressure  in  the  pipes 
to  enter  the  short  end  of  the  U.  This  forced  the  water 
up  into  the  long  arm  and  caused  the  tube  to  rock  in  that 
direction.  When  the  air  pressure  was  released,  the  water 
level  in  the  long  arm  dropped  and  this  caused  the  U-tube 
to  rock  back  to  its  normal  position.  This  motion  was 
transmitted  to  the  lever  by  means  of  the  cord  and  forci- 
bly opened  the  cock. 

In  a  later  type  a  diaphragm  was  used  instead  of  a 
rocking  U-tube. 

NERACHER 

Neracher  Sprinkler  Co.,  Warren,  Ohio. 

2-Piston  Type.  Device  and  Material  Committee 
opinion,  1904: 

1.  Has  opening  action  traversing  a  pressure  retaining  joint. 

2.  Liable  to  intermittent  action  after  tripping. 

But  few  made. 

ITYASCO 

New  York  Automatic  Sprinkler  Company,  New  York. 

1913.  This  is  a  mechanical  valve  built  at  present 
only  in  small  sizes.  Made  primarily  for  steam  jets  in 
vessels. 

A  horizontally  seating  check  valve  is  held  in  place  by 
a  spindle  and  system  of  levers.  A  corrugated  metal 
diaphragm  is  attached  to  the  air  side  of  the  check  valve 
and  the  pressure  on  the  diaphragm  holds  the  tripping 
levers  in  place.  When  the  air  pressure  is  released  the 
diaphragm  falls  and  releases  the  levers. 

Not  yet  used  to  any  extent. 

Recent  tests  developed  mechanical  difficulties  which 
show  the  valve  to  be  unreliable. 


90  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLED  PROTECTION 


NYASC3 


NYASCO  DRY  VALVE. 

(Section.) 
N.  Y.  &  N.  H. 

Installed  by  the  New  York  and  New  Haven  Automatic 
Sprinkler  Co.  Office,  New  York.  Factory,  New 
Haven. 

About  1889.  This  was  a  differential  valve  operated 
by  an  auxiliary  thermostat  system.  In  the  cut  the  in- 
let is  shown  at  D  and  the  outlet  at  K.  The  inlet  pipe 
was  connected  to  the  device  between  the  two  parts  of 
the  differential  valve  A- A'.  The  valve  dfsc  A  moved 
in  a  cylinder  and  was  of  larger  area  than  the  valve  disc 
A'  which  seated  on  a  knife  edge.  The  water  pressure 
acting  on  both  discs  held  the  valve  closed  on  account 
of  the  differential. 

The  lever  F  was  released  by  the  thermostat  system 
which  was  installed  parallel  to  the  sprinkler  pipes.  This 
opened  a  valve  in  the  by-pass  E,  G,  and  allowed  water 
to  pass  into  the  chamber,  normally  free  from  pressure, 
below  the  valve. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  91 

This  created  a  pressure  on  the  lower  side  of  the  lower 
valve  disc  which  balanced  the  pressure  on  the  upper 
side  of  this  disc.  The  pressure  on  the  under  side  of  the 
upper  valve  disc  then  raised  the  valve  and  allowed  water 


N.  Y.  &  N.  H.  DRY  VALVE. 
(Section.) 

to  flow  into  the  system.  This  valve  was  also  installed 
with  a  vacuum  system.  In  this  a  system  of  small  lead 
piping  was  installed  near  the  sprinkler  piping.  A  hole 
was  bored  in  this  piping  near  each  sprinkler  head  and 
filled  with  low-fusing  solder.  This  piping  terminated  in 
a  vacuum  diaphragm  which  operated  the  lever  F.  Air 
was  exhausted  from  the  small  piping,  thus  raising  the 


92  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


NIAGARA*  DRY  VALVE. 
(General  view,  tripped.) 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  93 

diaphragm.  When  fire  occurred  a  fusible  plug  melted, 
thus  letting  air  into  the  vacuum  pipes.  This  operated 
the  diaphragm  and  tripped  the  lever,  thus  opening  the 
dry  valve. 

There  was  an  alarm  gong  connected  to  each  system. 

Used  to  a  limited  extent. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

NIAGARA 

Niagara  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Akron,  Ohio. 

1-1902.  Mechanical  valve.  Water  valve  a  swing- 
ing check  held  in  place  by  a  system  of  levers  and  weights. 
A  swing  check  air  valve  was  located  higher  up  leaving 
an  intermediate  space.  Levers  tripped  by  an  auxiliary 
air  check. 

Features  criticized  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories: 

1.  Setting  process. 

2.  Adjustment. 

3.  Action  in  opening. 

4.  Effect  of  muddy  water. 

5.  Design  and  proportions. 

Field  experience  shows  uncertainty  of  action. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 

2-1909.     Modification  of  above.     Approved. 

Rating:  Standard. 

Description.  There  is  an  air  pot  with  an  air  check 
that  holds  in  place  a  train  of  levers  and  weights  which, 
when  they  are  released,  allow  a  horizontal  plunger  bear- 
ing against  the  toggle  strut  to  be  thrown  out. 

The  operation  of  the  valve  is  as  follows:  When  the 
air  pressure  in  the  system  is  released  by  the  fusing  of  a 
sprinkler,  the  air  check  15  is  pushed  up  and  this  acts 
on  the  trip  lever  12- A  which  releases  the  weight  hook 
and  the  weight  11.  The  horizontal  strut  10  then  re- 
leases the  fulcrum  lever  9  which  holds  in  place  the 


94 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


plunger  7.  When  this  plunger  is  released  the  toggle 
strut  4—5  collapses  and  the  water  check  27  no  longer 
held  in  place,  is  opened  by  the  water  pressure.  The 


NIAGARA"  DRY-PIPE  VALVE 
(Section.) 

water  then  flows  up  through  the  valve  body  and  air 
check  into  the  sprinkler  system.  The  intermediate 
space  is  drained  by  an  automatic  ball  drip  and  the  elec- 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES 


95 


trie  alarm  is  given  by  a  circuit  closer  18,  operated  by  the 
falling  weight  11. 

Tests  and  Examinations.  Open  drip  valve  above  air 
check. 

Open  casing  and  examine  levers. 

PHCENIX 

Made  by  Phoenix  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Chicago,  III. 

i.  Differential.  Horizontally  seating  water  valve. 
Connected  by  a  curved  arm  to  a  vertically  seating  air 


PHCENIX  DRY  VALVE. 
(Sections.) 

valve  of  larger  area.  This  large  valve  could  swing 
through  an  angle  of  90  degrees  in  an  offset  to  the  main 
pipe.  An  auxiliary  air  pipe  connected  this  offset  to  the 


96  AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

sprinkler  piping,  thus  putting  the  air  pressure  onto  this 
valve.  When  the  air  pressure  was  released  the  large 
valve  would  swing  open  carrying  the  water  valve  with  it. 
There  was  also  another  air  check  in  the  main  pipe  above 
the  water  valve. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report,  1906,  criticizes: 

1.  Working  differential. 

2.  Bolted  plate  opening  to  intermediate  chamber. 

3.  Seats  liable  to  damage  from  sediment. 

4.  Automatic  drain. 

Not  used  so  far  as  known. 

2-1904.     Mechanical  valve. 

r  5-inch  size  approved  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories, 
1908.  Approval  withdrawn,  1909.  Manufacture  dis- 
continued. 

Present  rating:  Satisfactory. 

RICHMOND 

McCrum  Howell  Co.,  Chicago. 

Plans  submitted  to  Underwriters'  Laboratories.  No 
complete  device  submitted  to  date. 

ROCKWOOD 

Geo.  I.  Rockwood,  Worcester,  Mass.  Made  by  Worcester 
Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  Later  Rockwood  Sprinkler 
Co. 

1-1906.  Copy  of  Grinnell  differential  No.  12.  Ap- 
proved until  1907. 

A-i9o8.  Differential  valve.  Large  counterweighted 
swing  check  valve  with  air  and  water  seat.  Groove  or 
intermediate  space  between  air  and  water  seat  contains 
an  automatic  drip.  A  few  of  the  earlier  valves  had  a 
spring  latch  working  vertically.  This  was  replaced  with 
a  gravity  hinged  latch  in  1909. 

Rating:  Standard. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES 


97 


ROCKWOOD  DRY  VALVE  A. 
(General  view.) 


98 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


Description.  The  differential  valve  A  has  a  metal 
water  seat  and  a  rubber  to  metal  air  seat  in  the  same 
plane.  There  is  a  groove  N  between  these  seats  which 
acts  as  an  intermediate  space.  There  is  an  automatic 
drip  M  connected  with  this  space  as  well  as  the  alarm 
attachments.  The  valve  is  connected  to  a  large  arm  D 


ROCKWOOD  DRY  VALVE  A. 

(Section.) 


pivoted  at  F  and  counterweighted  at  E.  There  is  a 
hinged  latch  L  to  prevent  it  from  closing  after  it  has 
once  opened.  The  interior  of  the  chamber  is  readily 
accessible  through  a  large  hinged  hand-hole  plate  H. 

Tests  and  Examinations.  Test  for  water  above  draw- 
off  pipe.  Test  automatic  drip  M  to  see  that  it  is  free 
and  not  obstructed  by  dirt. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  99 

SHAW 

Campbell  B.  Shaw,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

1-1898.  Mechanical  valve.  Water  valve  held  closed 
by  spindle  extending  through  stuffing  box  and  connected 
to  a  system  of  levers.  These  levers  were  tripped  by  the 
opening  of  a  small  auxiliary  air  valve  in  somewhat  the 
same  way  as  in  the  Robert  Wood  valve. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 

2-1903.  Assigned  to  Shaw  Manufacturing  Co.  Me- 
chanical valve.  Water  valve  held  closed  by  levers  ex- 
tending to  outside  of  casing  and  tripped  by  auxiliary  air 
valve. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report,  1902,  criticizes: 

1.  Setting  process. 

2.  Opening  movement. 

3.  External  operating  parts. 

4.  Complication  of  part. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 

STECK 

E.  F.  Steck,  Chicago.     Assigned  to  Fire  Extinguisher 
Manufacturing  Co. 

1-1898.  Mechanical  valve.  Water  check  opening 
against  pressure  was  opened  by  a  lever  counterweighted 
with  a  bucket.  When  the  air  pressure  was  released  a 
small  air  valve  was  opened  and  this  allowed  some  en- 
trapped water  to  flow  into  the  bucket.  The  weight  of 
this  water  opened  the  main  valve.  Not  used  so  far  as 
known. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 

2-1898.  Similar  to  above  except  that  valve  was 
opened  by  a  system  of  weighted  levers  held  in  place  by 
small  air  valve. 

Rating:  Unreliable, 


100 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


U.  T.  D.  OR  COX 

Made  by  U.  T.  D.  Sprinkler  &  Supply  Co.,  Chicago. 

Manufacture  discontinued  in  1900. 

Opinion  of  Device  and  Material  Committee,  1904; 

1.  Liable  to  be  inoperative  under  service  conditions. 

2.  Difficulty  of  cleaning  and  setting. 

3.  Dependent  on  skilled  adjustment. 

4.  Subject  to  tripping  from  cessation  of  water  pressure. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 

WALWORTH 

Made  by  Walworth  Manufacturing  Co.,  Boston. 


WALWORTH  DRY  VALVE  1. 

(Section.) 

A,  supply  pipe,    a,  b,  angle  valve,     e,  lever.    /,  cord.    Ti,  weight. 
Z),  outer  tank.    E,  inner  tank,    e,  air  pipe  from  sprinkler  system. 

1-1884.  This  dry  valve  was  one  of  the  earliest  on 
the  market  and  was  patented  by  C.  C.  Walworth  and 
O.  B.  Hall  of  Boston  in  1884.  It  was  installed  by  the 
Walworth  Manufacturing  Co.  for  a  number  of  years 


DRY  SYSTEMS  ,AND  DRY  VALVES  101 

but  is  now  obsolete.  It  was  not  a  differential  valve 
and  still  did  not  bear  much  resemblance  to  the  ordinary 
type  of  mechanical  valve.  The  actuating  device  was  a 
tank  of  water  with  an  inverted  tank  or  bell  float  inside 
on  the  principle  of  a  gasometer.  A  cord  was  attached 
to  the  bell  float  and  extended  through  a  hole  in  the  outer 
tank  over  a  pulley  to  a  weight.  Air  was  pumped  into 
the  bell  float,  thus  raising  it  to  the  stops.  A  pipe  from 
the  sprinkler  system  connected  to  the  pipe  feeding  the 
bell  float,  thus  putting  the  same  air  pressure  onto  both 
the  sprinkler  system  and  the  tank.  The  cord  from  the 
bell  float  engaged  with  the  end  of  a  long  lever  attached 
to  a  normally  closed  angle  valve  in  the  main  sprinkler 
pipe. 

When  the  system  was  set  up  the  main  valve  was 
closed  and  held  closed  by  the  weighted  lever.  The  air 
pressure  in  the  system  raised  .the  bell  float,  thereby 
allowing  the  weighted  cord  to  fall  to  its  lowest  position. 
When  a  sprinkler  opened  the  air  pressure  was  exhausted 
and  the  bell  float  dropped.  This  raised  the  weighted 
cord  which,  pulling  on  the  lever,  opened  the  valve  and 
allowed  water  to  enter  the  system. 

2-1884.  In  another  variation  of  this  device  a  spindle 
valve  was  used  instead  of  a  lever  valve,  the  cord  from 
the  bell  float  being  wound  around  a  drum  on  the  valve 
spindle.  When  the  bell  float  dropped  the  cord  turned 
the  spindle  and  opened  the  valve. 

Both  used  to  some  extent.     Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

WALWORTH 

3-1885.  In  a  later  type  a  globe  valve  was  used  to 
hold  the  water  back.  The  stem  of  this  valve  extended 
through  a  stuffing  box  and  was  loosely  fastened  to  a 
weighted  lever.  The  long  end  of  this  lever  was  held 


102 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


in  place  by  a  tripping  device  operated  by  a  diaphragm. 
When  the  lever  was  released  by  the  reduction  of  air 
pressure  the  weighted  end  of  the  lever  dropped  and 
opened  the  valve.  A  check  valve  with  a  weighted  stem 
kept  the  air  pressure  from  the  upper  side  of  the  globe 
valve. 

Used  to  a  limited  extent.     Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


WALWORTH  DRY  VALVE  3. 


COMBINED   SPRINKLER  AND   HEATING   SYSTEMS 

It  is  a  curious  fact  that  in  the  first  automatic  sprinkler 
system  ever  installed  an  effort  was  made  to  combine  a 
heating  system  with  the  sprinkler  system  and  that  no 
serious  attempt  was  made  to  repeat  this  experiment 
until  very  recently.  The  system  in  the  Parmelee  Piano 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  103 

Factory  in  New  Haven,  installed  in  1874,  was  used  for 
heating  in  extremely  cold  weather.  There  was  an  aux- 
iliary system  of  steam  pipes  of  sufficient  capacity  to 
heat  the  building  in  moderate  weather,  but  in  very  cold 
weather  steam  was  let  into  the  sprinkler  pipes.  The 
sprinkler  heads  were  placed  upon  inverted  U  pipes  to 
form  a  trap  which  would  remain  full  of  water  and  thus 
keep  the  steam  from  heating  the  heads  unduly.  The 
Parmelee  system  of  piping,  being  a  "  tree  "  system,  was 
especially  adapted  for  this  purpose,  for  the  heat  that 
circulated  in  the  main  feed  pipes  would  not  cause  much 
circulation  in  the  branch  pipes  in  which  the  sprinklers 
were  located. 

There  were  three  feed  lines  running  lengthwise  of 
the  building  with  cross  feeders  at  the  ends  and  in  the 
centre.  At  the  end  of  each  cross  feed  was  a  pipe  with 
a  valve  extending  out  of  doors.  These  were  used  to 
bleed  the  system  and  start  a  circulation  when  the  steam 
was  let  in.  The  system  was  not  entirely  satisfactory 
and  the  steam  connection  was  finally  abandoned. 

Another  attempt  has  recently  been  made  to  use  auto- 
matic sprinkler  pipes  for  heating  purposes,  and  inci- 
dentally to  prevent  the  sprinkler  system  from  freezing, 
by  circulating  hot  water  through  the  pipes. 

Such  a  system  was  installed  in  the  weave  shed  of  a 
large  cotton  mill  in  New  Bedford  about  three  years  ago 
and  others  have  since  been  completed. 

The  New  Bedford  building  is  of  large  area  (300  by 
237  feet)  basement  and  one  story  in  height.  The  sprink- 
ler system  is  fed  by  an  eight-inch  pipe  from  the  yard 
mains  supplied  by  city  water  and  a  steam  pump.  There 
is  a  check  valve  on  the  eight-inch  pipe  just  inside  of  the 
building. 

In  the  basement  the  entire  sprinkler  system  is  used 
as  a  heating  system  and  there  is  no  other  heat.  There 
are  check  valves  in  the  larger  branch  pipes  close  to  the 


104          AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

mam  feed  pipe  to  prevent  circulation  in  the  latter.  The 
ends  of  all  branch  lines  are  tied  together  and  connected 
to  two  four-inch  headers  or  supply  pipes  from  the  hot 
water  heater.  This  heater  is  located  in  the  basement  of 
the  engine  room  adjoining,  and  the  four-inch  pipes  are 
run  from  the  sprinkler  system  into  the  heater,  making  a 
complete  circuit.  The  hot  water,  starting  in  one  four- 
inch  pipe,  circulates  through  all  the  smaller  sprinkler 
pipes  and  returns  through  the  other  four-inch  pipe. 

The  weave  shed  above  has  a  sawtooth  roof,  with 
sprinkler  branch  lines  running  to  dead  ends  at  the  top 
of  each  sawtooth.  Here  no  attempt  is  made  to  use 
the  smaller  sprinkler  pipes  for  heating  purposes,  but  the 

heat  is  obtained  by  circu- 

"pipe    1'long  lating  the  water  through 

>et  30°with  mainline,  the  larger  sprinkler  pipes 

and  some  auxiliary  heat- 

^^ ing  coils. 

IT   U          —        Perhaps   the   most   in- 
SPRINKLER  OFFSET.  teresting   feature   of   this 

Combined  sprinkler  and  heating       System  is  the  meth°d  USed 
system.  for  preventing  the  oper- 

ation    of     the     sprinkler 

heads  from  the  heat  of  the  water.  The  heads  are  of 
the  Grinnell  glass  disc  type,  and  are  practically  all  low 
test,  melting  at  about  160°  F.  The  hot  water  has  an 
average  temperature  of  180°  to  200°  F.,  the  maximum 
temperature  used  being  about  245°  F.  In  order  to 
prevent  overheating  the  sprinklers,  they  are  placed  on 
short  offsets  in  which  the  water  does  not  circulate.  The 
offsets  in  this  case  are  of  J-inch  pipe  and  are  about  one 
foot  long.  They  are  placed  about  three  inches  above 
the  main  pipe  and  connected  to  it  by  a  J-inch  elbow  and 
nipple.  The  size  of  this  pipe  is  too  small  to  give  stand- 
ard sprinkler  protection,  and  f-inch  pipe  should  and 
probably  could  be  used  without  serious  results. 


DRY  SYSTEMS  AND  DRY  VALVES  105 

it  is  stated  that  the  action  of  hot  water  on  the  iron 
pipe  causes  the  segregation  of  nitrogen  gas  from  the 
entangled  air  in  the  water,  and  this  is  a  good  non-con- 
ductor. The  gas  collects  in  the  small  offsets  and  after 
a  period  of  time  practically  fills  them.  While  this  gas 
is  a  good  insulator,  the  fact  that  the  sprinkler  heads  do 
not  open  is  primarily  because  the  heat  is  radiated  from 
the  offset  and  from  the  head  faster  than  it  is  supplied 
to  them  by  conduction;  also  because  there  is  no  circula- 
tion in  these  offsets.  While  no  heads  have  as  yet 
opened  from  the  heat  of  the  system,  the  frames  become 
so  hot  that  one  cannot  bear  the  hand  upon  them  for 
long  without  discomfort.  The  struts,  however,  are 
noticeably  cooler  than  the  frame.  Whether  this  feature 
would  be  so  marked  in  heads  of  other  types  is  not 
known. 

This  system,  slightly  modified,  is  now  being  installed 
in  a  mill  in  Lewiston,  Me. 

Another  system  has  recently  been  installed  in  a  fire- 
proof factory  in  Cambridge,  Mass.  This  system  was 
somewhat  complicated  by  having  two  risers  each  con- 
taining a  6-inch  alarm  valve.  The  two  systems  were 
tied  together  above  the  alarm  valves  and  so  arranged 
that  in  order  to  shut  off  the  flow  from  a  sprinkler  head 
it  was  necessary  to  close  two  sprinkler  valves  and  one 
hot  water  valve.  As  it  was  not  considered  desirable 
to  install  an  expansion  tank  at  the  top  of  the  system, 
it  was  found  necessary  to  make  a  connection  through  a 
small  pipe  to  a  domestic  service  connection  so  that  the 
expansion  and  contraction  could  be  properly  cared  for. 

During  an  unusually  cold  spell,  the  heating  system 
was  forced  in  order  to  keep  the  building  warm,  and  as  a 
result  two  sprinklers  opened  from  excessive  heat.  The 
offsets  were  then  lengthened  in  an  effort  to  avoid  this 
trouble  in  the  future.  From  this  it  would  appear  that 
in  the  present  development  of  this  scheme  there  is 


106         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

some  danger  of  sprinkler  leakage  losses  occurring  from 
these  equipments. 

The  great  advantage  of  such  a  system  is  obviously 
the  saving  in  the  cost  of  pipe  in  the  original  equipment, 
which  saving  has  been  estimated  at  thirty-three  per 
cent. 

The  more  important  undesirable  features  are  as  fol- 
lows: 

1.  Complication  of  valves.     A  hot  water  valve  as  well  as  the 
sprinkler  valves  must  always  be  closed  to  shut  off  the  flow  of  water. 

2.  Liability  of  more  frequent  shutting  off  of  system  for  repairs. 

3.  Possibility  of  corroding  and  coating  interior  of  the  pipes  on 
account  of  circulation  of  hot  water. 

4.  Danger  of  sprinklers  operating  from  excessive  heat  in  pipes. 

5.  Possible  interference  with  proper  action  of  alarm  valves  due 
to  action  of  hot  water  on  rubber  facings  and  to  venting  of  system. 

These  possible  defects  would  probably  not  offset  the 
defects  inherent  in  an  ordinary  dry  system,  and  the 
system  would  therefore  be  of  especial  advantage  in  cold 
buildings  that  would  otherwise  have  to  be  sprinklered  on 
the  dry  system. 


CHAPTER  III 
SPRINKLER   SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS 

The  purpose  of  these  systems  is  to  give  notice  at  a 
central  station  in  case  anything  happens  to  a  sprinkler 
system  to  seriously  impair  its  effectiveness  or  in  case 
there  is  a  flowage  in  the  pipes  due  to  a  break  or  to 
the  opening  of  a  sprinkler  head.  The  signals  are  trans- 
mitted to  a  central  station  through  a  closed  circuit  sys- 
tem of  wiring  and  there  received  on  a  bell  and  tape 
machine  in  a  similar  manner  to  thermostat  signals. 
When  a  trouble  signal  is  received  a  runner  is  sent  from 
the  central  station  to  see  that  the  proper  remedies  are 
applied. 

This  is  a  comparatively  new  form  of  protection,  hav- 
ing been  on  the  market  only  about  eight  years. 

The  rules  of  the  National  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters 
(Signalling  Systems,  Clas.s  H)  give  definite  requirements 
for  many  features  of  the  wiring  and  central  station  and 
are  as  follows: 

RULES   OF  THE  NATIONAL  BOARD   OF  FIRE 

UNDERWRITERS 
Central  Station. 

(a)  From  the  central  office  to  the  protected  risk,  there  must  be 
two  (2)  separate  circuits  one  for  the  water  flow  alarm,  and  the  other 
for  the  supervision  features.  Manuals  must  not  be  installed  on  the 
supervision  circuit  unless  of  approved  non-interfering  pattern. 

(6)  The  central  office  must,  at  all  times,  be  able  to  determine 
from  the  signal  received,  the  particular  feature  of  the  sprinklered 
risk  which  is  out  of  order  and  when  it  has  been  restored. 

This  may  be  accomplished  by  having  separate  transmitters  for 
each  feature  of  the  service  or  distinctive  signals  from  the  same 
transmitter  or  by  a  combination  of  both  methods. 

107 


108         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

Devices,  Circuits,  Etc. 

(a)  Must  be  so  arranged  that  devices  cannot  easily  be  tampered 
with  or  removed  without  giving  a  signal  in  the  central  office. 

(b)  All  circuits  and  electrical  apparatus  must  comply  with  the 
requirements  stated  under  Class  A.     It  is,  however,  strongly  rec- 
ommended that  all  interior  circuits  be  entirely  run  in  approved 
conduit  piping,  wire  to  be  such  as  is  required  in  damp  places,  under 
Rule  3,  Section  b.     Class  A. 

(c)  All  pipe  connections  to  sprinkler  system  must  be  made  in  a 
workmanlike  manner,  equal  in  all  respects  to  the  regular  standard 
required  for  sprinkler  work. 

(d)  Not  more  than  twenty-five  (25)  sets  of  transmitters  or  not 
exceeding  one  hundred  (100)  break  wheels  must  be  connected  on  a 
single  circuit. 

Tests. 

Complete  and  satisfactory  tests  of  all  transmitters  must  be  made 
by  installing  companies  monthly  and  results  reported  to  the  Inspec- 
tion Department  having  jurisdiction. 

SUPERVISION  DETAILS 
Gate  Valves. 

(a)  Connection,  by  means  of  approved  devices,  must  be  made  to 
all  gate  or  other  stop  valves,  under  control  of  the  assured,  in  feed 
pipes  to  sprinklers,  including  all  valves  on  tanks,  fire  pump,  steam 
and  discharge  connections,  city  main  connections,  pump  suction, 
post  indicator  valves,  and  where  necessary,  on  small  valves  used  in 
installation  of  the  service.  Devices  to  be  so  attached  as  not  to  in- 
terfere with  the  operation  of  the  valve  nor  obstruct  the  view  of  indi- 
cator or  access  to  stuffing  boxes. 

(6)  Attachments  on  all  valves  must  give  a  signal  between  the 
first  and  second  revolutions  of  the  hand  wheel,  tending  to  move  the 
valve  from  its  proper  position,  or  when  valve  is  not  controlled  by 
hand  wheel,  signal  must  be  given  before  the  valve  has  moved  |  of 
the  stem  movement  from  its  proper  position. 

Two  separate  and  distinctive  automatic  signals  will  be  required 
for  the  gate  valve  alarm,  one  signal  to  show  that  a  valve  has  been 
removed  from  its  normal  position,  and  another  distinctive  and  differ- 
ent signal  to  show  that  the  valve  has  been  returned  to  its  normal 
position.  The  latter  signal  shall  not  be  given  until  all  valves  have 
been  returned  to  their  normal  position,  or  at  least  to  the  point 
where  the  first  or  trouble  signal  was  given. 


SPRINKLER   SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS  109 


Pressure. 


(a)  All  tanks  or  their  sources  of  pressure,  including  steam  supply 
for  fire  pumps,  also  pressure  on  dry  pipe  system,  must  be  provided 
with  separate  and  independent  attachments,  unless  otherwise  speci- 
fied by  the  Inspection  Department  having  jurisdiction. 

Pipe  to  which  supervisory  devices  are  connected  must  be  pro- 
vided with  a  plugged  test  gauge  connection  and  a  stop  and  relief 
valve  of  satisfactory  pattern;  the  whole  to  be  so  arranged  that 
pressure  on  attachment  and  plugged  connection  can  be  released  for 
testing  purposes. 

(6)  Pressure  tank  attachment  must  give  a  high  and  low  pressure 
signal  at  ten  (10)  pounds  below  and  thirty  (30)  pounds  above  the 
normal  pressure. 

Steam  pressure  attachment  must  give  a  low  pressure  signal  at 
45  pounds. 

Attachment  to  dry  pipe  pressure  system  must  give  a  high  and 
low  pressure  signal  at  ten  (10)  pounds  variation  above  or  below 
normal,  pressure. 

In  special  cases  and  for  other  pressure  sources,  specific  instruc- 
tions must  be  obtained  from  the  Inspection  Department  having 
jurisdiction. 

Two  separate  and  distinctive  automatic  signals  will  be  required 
for  pressure  alarm,  one  to  show  that  the  pressure  has  gone  below  or 
above  the  required  amount  and  another  distinctive  and  different 
signal  to  show  that  the  normal  pressure  has  been  restored. 

Water  Levels. 

(a)  All  pressure  and  surge  tanks,  gravity  tanks,  cisterns  and  res- 
ervoirs used  as  a  supply  for  sprinkler  systems,  must  be  equipped 
with  separate  and  independent  attachments  unless  otherwise  speci- 
fied by  Inspection  Department  having  jurisdiction. 

All  devices  used  for  this  purpose  must  be  designed  to  withstand 
corrosion  and  possible  mechanical  obstructions. 

(6)  Must  give  a  low  .water  signal  in  all  supplies,  except  pressure 
tanks,  when  water  drops  12  inches  below  the  required  level.  Pres- 
sure tank  device  must  give  a  signal  when  water  drops  4  inches  below 
or  rises  4  inches  above  the  required  level. 

Two  separate  and  distinctive  automatic  signals  will  be  required 
for  water  alarm,  one  to  show  that  water  has  changed  from  the  re- 
quired level,  and  another  to  show  that  the  proper  water  level  has 
been  restored. 


110         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

Temperature. 

(a)  All  gravity  tanks,  cisterns  and  reservoirs  for  sprinkler  service 
in  which  water  might  freeze,  must  be  equipped  with  suitable  temper- 
ature indicator,  located  two  feet  below  the  required  water  level. 

Note:  Where  tanks,  cisterns  or  reservoirs  are  located  in  houses 
in  which  water  might  freeze,  Inspection  Department  having  juris- 
diction may  require  suitable  temperature  indicators  for  such  houses. 

(6)  The  indicator  must  give  a  separate  and  distinctive  signal 
when  temperature  falls  below  40°  F.,  or  rises  above  160°  F.,  and 
another  distinctive  and  different  signal  to  show  that  water  has  been 
restored  to  the  proper  temperature. 

Fire  Pumps. 

Where  automatic  fire  pumps  are  used  a  complete  supervision 
shall  be  provided  in  each  case,  for  which  special  instructions  must 
be  obtained. 

Water  Flow  Alarm  Details. 

(a)  At  the  base  of  each  system  riser,  satisfactory  and  positive 
connections  must  be  made  by  an  approved  device  for  indicating  the 
flow  of  water  in  the  sprinkler  system,  except  that  due  to  waste 
surges  or  variable  pressure. 

(6)  The  device  must  indicate  at  the  Central  Station  any  leak  or 
flow  of  water  in  the  sprinkler  system,  equal  to  or  greater  than  at 
the  rate  of  ten  (10)  gallons  per  minute. 

Trouble  signal  to  be  distinctive  and  different  from  the  water 
flow  signal. 

(c)  Where  any  private  local  water  flow  alarm  system  is  in  use 
the  supervisory  water  flow  alarm  must  be  so  arranged  that  it  shall 
not  be  dependent  upon  the  operation  of  or  interfered  with  by 
trouble  on  the  local  private  alarm  circuit. 

Manual  Alarms. 

Where  a  sprinklered  risk  is  provided  with  either  a  Central  Sta- 
tion Water  Flow  or  a  Central  Station  Supervision  Alarm,  or  both, 
and  has  not  an  approved  and  properly  maintained  Automatic  Fire 
Alarm  System,  or  Watchman's  Central  Station  Time  Recording 
System,  a  Manual  Fire  Alarm  System  installed  in  accordance  with 
Rules  8  and  9  must  be  provided. 

Signals  and  Reports. 

(a)  Arrangements  must,  if  possible,  be  made  by  the  operating 
company,  by  which  they  shall  have  access  to  premises  under  super- 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS  111 

vision,  at  all  hours  of  the  day  and  night.  Where  such  arrangements 
cannot  be  made  and  it  might  become  necessary  to  force  an  entrance 
to  the  building,  a  proper  guard  shall  be  placed  over  the  building  so 
long  as  required. 

Note:  It  will,  of  course,  be  understood  that  all  arrangements, 
under  the  above  paragraph,  should  be  made  with  the  owner  of  the 
property  and  must  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Inspection 
Department  having  jurisdiction. 

(6)  Arrangements  must  be  made  to  furnish  such  reports  of  signals 
that  may  be  received  and  in  such  form  as  may  be  required  by  the 
Inspection  Department  having  jurisdiction. 

Disposition  of  Signals. 

(a)  Upon  receipt  of  signals  referring  to  matters  of  purely  equip- 
ment maintenance,  the  operating  company  must  immediately  send 
a  runner  to  investigate  and,  if  possible,  see  that  the  trouble  is  reme- 
died at  once. 

They  shall  also  notify  the  Assured  by  telephone  or  by  the  quick- 
est method  available. 

Written  notice  should  be  given  the  Assured  in  all  cases. 

(6)  Upon  receipt  of  signals  showing  flow  of  water  in  the  system, 
the  central  office  must  notify  the  nearest  Insurance  Patrol  and  such 
other  parties  as  the  Inspection  Department  having  jurisdiction  may 
require. 

They  shall  also  dispatch  a  runner  to  the  risk. 

They  shall  also  notify  the  Assured  by  telephone  or  the  quickest 
method  available. 

In  addition  to  which,  written  notice  should  be  given  to  the 
Assured. 

Note:  In  all  cases  where  notification  is  required  to  parties  with 
whom  private  lines  of  communication  have  not  been  provided,  the 
quickest  available  means  of  communication  must  be  used. 

(c)  If,  at  any  time,  a  combination  signal  is  received,  which  from 
its  nature,  is  indicative  of  water  flow  on  the  premises  equipped,  such 
combination  signal  must  be  treated  by  the  central  office  as  a  fire 
alarm. 

All  manual  alarms  are  to  be  treated  as  fire  alarms. 

Note:  Fire  alarms  received  from  Sprinkler  Supervisory  service 
shall  be  transmitted  to  the  city  fire  alarm  office  and  patrol  or  such 
other  places  as  required  by  the  Inspection  Department  having 
jurisdiction,  and  should  at  all  times  be  treated  as  still  alarms. 


112          AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

LIMITATIONS   OF  THE   SYSTEMS 

Supplies  from  tanks  and  automatic  pumps  can  be 
efficiently  supervised  but  where  a  waterworks  connec- 
tion is  the  only  source  of  supply  the  supervision  is  not 
as  satisfactory.  The  gate  valves  from  tanks  and  pumps 
are  accessible  and  the  supervisory  attachment  can  be 
readily  made;  but  it  is  usually  impractical  to  super- 
vise the  underground  waterworks  valves  on  a  sprinkler 
connection  and  it  is  certainly  not  practical  to  super- 
vise all  the  street  main  gate  valves,  the  closing  of  which 
might  shut  off  water  from  the  risk  in  question.  It 
would  always  be  possible,  therefore,  that  the  street 
main  or  even  the  sprinkler  connection  from  the  main 
might  be  shut  off  without  giving  any  trouble  alarm. 
A  partial  safeguard  can  be  installed  in  the  form  of  an 
alarm  gage  on  the  sprinkler  system.  This  is  adjusted 
so  that  when  the  water  pressure  drops  to  a  certain  pre- 
determined point,  say  25  per  cent  below  normal,  an  alarm 
will  be  given.  With  this  arrangement  no  fire  could 
occur  without  some  alarm  being  given  through  the 
supervisory  system  although  the  sprinkler  system  might 
be  practically  out  of  commission. 

If  the  street  connection  was  shut  off  it  is  probable 
that  the  pressure  in  the  sprinkler  system  would  gradually 
fall  until  a  trouble  alarm  was  given.  If,  however,  the 
system  was  so  tight  that  this  did  not  occur,  then  in  case 
of  fire  a  sprinkler  head  would  open  and  the  pressure 
would  at  once  drop  and  an  alarm  be  given.  While, 
therefore,  the  water  supply  might  not  be  efficiently 
supervised  the  supervisory  system  would  still  act  as  a 
fire  alarm.  With  a  sprinkler  supervisory  system  prop- 
erly installed  and  maintained  the  sprinkler  system  is 
not  only  supervised  so  that  the  chance  of  failure  in 
time  of  fire  is  reduced  to  a  minimum  but  the  system 
itself  becomes  an  alarm  service  of  the  most  efficient 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS  113 

type.  This  service  may  generally  be  considered  the 
full  equivalent  of  a  thermostat  system  or  standard 
watchman's  service. when  efficiently  maintained. 

Supervisory  systems  must  necessarily  be  confined  to 
regions  where  there  is  a  considerable  number  of  sprink- 
lered  risks  near  together,  probably  to  the  larger  cities 
and  their  suburbs,  as  it  would  not  pay  to  go  to  the 
expense  of  equipping  and  maintaining  an  expensive 
central  station  in  other  places. 

Up  to  a  few  years  ago'  there  were  two  systems  on  the 
market,  the  American  District  Telegraph  Co.  and  the 
Consolidated  Co.,  but  at  present  only  the  A.  D.  T.  sys- 
tem is  being  installed. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   DEVICES 

The  devices  consist  in  general  of  circuit  breakers  at- 
tached to  check  valves  to  give  water  flow  alarm;  gate 
valve  attachments,  pressure  gages,  water  level  attach- 
ments, temperature  devices  and  the  necessary  trans- 
mitters, batteries,  etc.  All  wiring  is  installed  in  conduit 
so  that  there  is  no  chance  to  short  circuit  the  system, 
thus  putting  the  alarm  connections  out  of  service. 
The  different  attachments  are  securely  fastened  in  place 
so  that  they  cannot  be  disconnected  without  giving  an 
alarm  and  they  all  have  case  contact  or  telltale  attach- 
ments to  prevent  removing  the  cover  and  tampering 
with  the  interior  mechanism  without  giving  a  trouble 
signal. 

Water  Flow  Apparatus.  The  attachment  for  giving 
the  water  flow  signals  can  be  fastened  to  an  alarm  valve, 
or  to  any  check  valve  provided  it  is  slightly  weighted. 
It  consists  of  an  arm  pivoted  near  the  middle  in  a 
bronze  diaphragm.  One  end  of  the  arm  extends  inside 
of  the  check  valve  to  the  under  side  of  the  clapper  and 
is  normally  held  down  by  the  weight  of  the  clapper. 


114 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS 


115 


-~  I 


116 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS 


117 


The  other  end  of  the  arm  carries  an  insulating  ring 
which  lifts  a  spring,  thereby  separating  two  platinum 
points.  When  there  is  a  flow  of  water  through  the 
system  the  check  valve  rises,  thus  allowing  one  end  of 


A.  D.  T.  ALARM  VALVE  APPARATUS. 

a,  binding  screws  for  circuit  wires. 

L,  binding  screws  for  local  bell  wires. 

b,  case  contact  for  telltale. 

c,  platinum  contact  points. 

d,  insulating  ring  or  lever  arm. 

e,  platinum  points  for  local  bell. 

the  arm  to  rise  and  make  contact  between  the  platinum 
points  at  the  other  end,  the  motion  being  transmitted 
through  the  flexible  diaphragm.  The  making  of  the 
circuit  by  the  platinum  points  starts  a  transmitter  and 


118          AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 


A.  D.  T.  ALARM  VALVE  ATTACHMENT. 

Contacts  are  in  box  at  extreme  left  of  picture.     Wires  run  in  conduit 
taken  out  at  top  of  box.     Manual  alarm  box  at  extreme  right. 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS  119 

sends  a  signal  to  the  central  station.  The  platinum 
contacts  are  connected  to  the  transmitter  by  two  loops 
so  as  to  insure  safety  and  to  indicate  trouble.  The  case 
contact  or  telltale  consists  of  a  make-and-break  contact 
in  one  of  these  loops  which,  when  the  cover  is  in  place, 


A.  D.  T.  ALARM  VALVE  TRANSMITTER. 

a,  a,  water  flow  signal  magnets.  &,  device  for  causing  wheel  W.  F. 
to  make  one  full  revolution  when  it  starts,  c,  c,  central  station 
contact  springs,  d,  springs  for  changing  connections  when  wheel 
T  has  made  one  revolution.  T,  E,  Time  element  magnet.  W,  F, 
water  flow  signal  wheel.  T,  trouble  signal  wheel,  e,  cam  for 
changing  connections  from  T,  E  to  a,  a. 

is  held  closed.  When  the  cover  is  removed  the  circuit  is 
broken  and  a  trouble  signal  is  sent  to  the  central  station. 
The  transmitter  consists  of  two  wheels,  driven  by 
clockwork,  which  are  connected  in  series.  One  wheel 
is  for  trouble  signals  and  one  for  water  flow  signals. 


120         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 


A.  D.  T.  ALARM  VALVE  CIRCUITS. 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY   SYSTEMS  121 

The  trouble  signal  is  controlled  by  a  time  element  de- 
vice consisting  of  a  large  magnet  energized  by  a  local 
battery,  and  normally  holding  up  its  armature.  When 
there  is  a  water  flow,  the  attachment  on  the  check  valve 
closes  a  short  circuit  around  this  magnet  and  allows  this 
armature  to  fall.  The  fall  of  the  armature  is  retarded 
by  clockwork  so  timed  that  it  will  take  longer  than  the 
duration  of  any  ordinary  hammer  for  the  armature  to 
complete  its  fall.  When  the  short  circuit  is  removed, 
the  armature  returns  to  its  normal  position;  but  if  it 
lasts  a  sufficient  length  of  time,  as  in  case  of  a  sprinkler 
head  opening,  the  clockwork  controlling  the  trouble 
wheel  is  released  by  the  armature  and  one  round  of  the 
box  number  is  sent  in  short  quick  dashes  to  the  central 
station.  When  this  wheel  completes  one  revolution  it 
automatically  changes  the  connections  and  closes  the 
circuit  through  a  second  magnet  which  trips  the  clock 
controlling  the  water  flow  signal  wheel  and  sends  in 
three  rounds  of  the  box  number. . 

If  at  any  time  the  water  flow  should  cease  and  the 
contacts  in  the  check  valve  attachment  open,  the  re- 
sults would  be  as  follows.  If  the  short  circuit  was  re- 
moved before  the  armature  of  the  time  element  magnet 
completed  its  fall,  the  armature  would  return  to  its 
normal  position  and  no  signal  would  be  transmitted. 
This  prevents  an  alarm  from  being  sent  in  when  the 
water  flow  is  of  short  duration  such  as  would  occur  in 
case  of  water  hammer.  A  small  flowage,  such  as  is 
caused  by  the  operation  of  one  sprinkler,  would  cause 
an  intermittent  action  on  the  part  of  the  check  valve; 
that  is  the  check  would  open  for  a  short  period  and 
then  close.  In  most  cases  the  interval  between  the 
lifting  and  seating  of  the  check  is  longer  than  the 
period  of  retard  employed,  so  that  while  the  alarm  may . 
be  slightly  delayed  it  will  finally  be  given.  In  a  small 
percentage  of  cases  any  adjustment  of  the  retard  ele- 


122 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


ment  that  would  prevent  water  hammer  signals  is  likely 

to  cause  a  failure  to  get 
the  water  flow  signal.  In 
such  cases  it 


I 


cases  it  has  been 
necessary  to  maintain  an 
excess  pressure  on  the 
sprinkler  system  above 
the  check  valve  so  as  to 
prevent  any  water  ham- 
mer from  raising  the 
check.  This  can  be  easily 
done  with  a  small  hand 
pump  or  by  connection 
to  some  pump  furnishing 
pressure  for  other  pur- 
poses. In  order  to  main- 
tain the  pressure  properly, 
a  pressure  gage  is  installed 
on  the  riser  arranged  to 
give  notice  at  the  central 
office  when  any  consider- 
able drop  in  pressure  oc- 
curs. When  such  signals 
are  received,  the  central 
office  takes  steps  to  re- 
store the  pressure  to  its 
original  amount. 

If  the  contacts  did  not 
open  until  the  trouble 
wheel  had  started,  this 
wheel  would  complete  one 
revolution  and  then  stop. 
A  trouble  signal  would 
be  received  at  the  Central 
Station.  In  this  case  the  armature  of  the  time  element 
would  return  to  its  normal  position  and  the  time  element 


A.  D.  T.  DRY  VALVE  ATTACHMENT. 

High  and  low  air  pressure  alarm 
shown  in  circular  case  at  left. 
Water  flow  switch  connecting  to 
intermediate  chamber  shown  at 
right  (white  disc). 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY   SYSTEMS  123 

would  again  be  in  service  but  no  trouble  signal  would 
be  transmitted  until  the  box  had  been  rewound.  A 
second  closing  of  the  platinum  points  before  the  box 
had  been  rewound,  as  from  water  hammer,  would  send 
in  a  water  flow  signal,  but  not  preceded,  as  ordinarily, 
by  a  trouble  signal. 

If  the  contacts  did  not  open  until  the  water  flow 
signal  wheel  had  started,  one  full  round  of  the  wheel  or 
a  complete  water  flow  signal  would  be  given  before  it 
stopped. 

The  entire  system  is  wired  on  a  loop,  so  that  in  case  a 
wire  is  broken  a  trouble  signal  is  received  but  the  water 
flow  signal  is  not  crippled.  The  giving  out  of  the  bat- 
tery causes  a  trouble  signal  to  be  sent  in  but  no  alarm 
can  be  transmitted  until  repairs  have  been  made.  The 
central  station  apparatus  is  arranged  to  indicate  grounds 
and  breaks  on  the  outside  line.  A  ground  can  be  taken 
care  of  at  the  central  station  and  it  does  not  disable  the 
circuit.  A  single  break  can  be  temporarily  taken  care 
of  until  repairs  are  made  but  two  breaks  in  the  line  cut 
out  all  apparatus  located  between  the  breaks. 

Gate  Valve  Attachment.  This  is  a  device  which  is 
clamped  onto  a  gate  valve  and  arranged  to  give  a 
trouble  alarm  in  case  the  valve  should  be  closed  or 
partially  closed.  The  box  is  fastened  to  '  the  yoke  of 
the  valve  so  that  the  rubber  roller  inside  stands  in  the 
centre  of  the  circle  formed  by  the  curves  in  two  German 
silver  springs.  When  in  this  position  the  platinum  points 
on  the  ends  of  the  springs  are  in  contact  and  complete 
an  electrical  circuit.  Another  roller  on  the  same  spindle 
as  the  first,  but  outside  of  the  box,  fits  into  a  groove  in 
the  valve  stem.  If  the  valve  is  turned  a  predetermined 
amount  from  the  wide  open  position,  the  outside  roller 
is  moved  sideways  by  the  motion  of  the  valve  stem, 
thus  causing  the  inside  roller  to  be  pushed  to  one  side 
and  opening  the  circuit.  The  amount  of  motion  neces- 


124'         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

sary  to  do  this  can  be  adjusted  as  desired  but  in  prac- 
tice one  complete  revolution  of  the  valve  stem  will  push 
the  springs  apart  and  break  the  circuit.  There  is  a  tell- 
tale on  this  device  similar  to  that  on  the  water  flow  box 
which  gives  a  trouble  signal  when  the  cover  is  removed. 
In  case  the  whole  box  is  removed,  the  spiral  spring  in- 
side would  move  the  rubber  roller  and  force  the  con- 


A.  D.  T.  GATE  VALVE  ATTACHMENT.    INTERIOR. 

c,  case,     d,  case  contact,    e,  rubber  roller.    /,  /,  german  silver 

springs,    g,  rubber  post  for  closing  case  contact. 

tacts  apart,  thus  opening  the  circuit  and  giving  a  trouble 
signal. 

The  magnets  for  this  device  are  operated  by  a  local 
battery  and  are  in  multiple  with  those  used  in  connec- 
tion with  the  pressure,  water  level  and  temperature 
devices.  There  are  separate  transmitters  for  each  of 
these  devices  and  the  central  station  circuit  comes  up 
to  the  number  wheels  on  these.  The  wheels  are  oper- 
ated by  clockwork  controlled  by  the  magnets.  There  is 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS  125 

a  loop  around  three  of  the  magnets,  normally  held  open 
by  the  local  battery  but  which  is  closed  if  this  battery 
circuit  fails.  The  gate  valve,  pressure  and  gravity 
(water  level)  instruments  are  each  connected  in  series 
with  a  double  wound  magnet,  one  circuit  being  normally 
open.  This  magnet  normally  holds  up  its  armature 
but  drops  it  when  the  circuit  is  opened  by  the  instru- 


A.  D.  T.  GATE  VALVE  ATTACHMENT.    REAK. 

a,  roller  that  fits  into  slot  in  valve  stem.     6,  clamp  for 

fastening  instrument  to  valve  yoke,     c,  instrument  case. 

ment  or  by  the  removing  of  the  cover,  thus  releasing 
the  clockwork.  When  the  armature  drops,  the  clock- 
work sends  in  two  rounds  of  the  box  number,  the  clock 
being  then  stopped  by  the  lifting  of  the  other  armature 
on  the  magnet  which  is  raised  by  the  starting  of  the 
clock. 

When  the  valve  is  again  opened,  the  first  winding  is 
closed  and  the  magnet  is  neutralized,  thus  dropping  the 


126         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


A.  D.  T.  GATE  VALVE  ATTACHMENT. 

Showing  attachment  to  an  O.  S.  &  Y.  floor  valve. 

Wiring  in  flexible  conduit. 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS 


127 


armature    and    starting    the    clock.     When    the    wheel 
starts,  the  second  winding  is  opened  and  the  armature 


:.  -     .. 

A.  D.  T.  PRESSURE  DEVICE.     1906  TYPE.    No  longer  used, 
a,  bourdon  tube,     b,  lever  operated  by  bourdon  tube,     c,  contact 
springs,      d,  pipe  connections  to  pressure  tank  or  dry  system. 
e,  case  contact. 

is  raised  by  the  first  winding  and  the  clock  is  stopped 
at  the  end  of  one  round. 

Pressure   Indicator.     This   consists   of  a  metal   dia- 
phragm which  supports  a  weighted  lever.     When  this 


128 


AUTOMATIC  .SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 


A.  D.  T.  SUPERVISORY  DEVICES. 

Water  level  float  for  pressure  tanks,  at  left.  Water  flow  switch  for 
alarm  valves,  in  centre.  Large  O.  S.  &  Y.  valve  attachment,  right 
centre.  Water  flow  device  for  dry  valves,  upper  right.  High  and 
low  air  pressure  device,  lower  right. 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS 


129 


-.  A. >D..T..  PRESSURE  TANK  ATTACHMENTS. 

Water  level,  alarm  in  rectangular  box  at  left.     High  and  low  air 
pressure  alarm  in  covered  gage  located  at  top  of  tank. 


130 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


diaphragm  is  under  pressure,  the  lever  holds  two  electri- 
cal contacts  together  but  when  the  pressure  drops  these 
contacts  are  opened.  The  opening  pressure  can  be  ad- 
justed to  suit  any  conditions.  This  replaces  an  instru- 
ment used  till  quite  recently  which  contained  a  large 
bourdon  spring  as  the  acting  mechanism. 


A.  D.  T.  WATER  LEVEL  DEVICE.      1906  TYPE.      No  longer  used. 

a,  case.    b,  lever  attached  to  float,     c,  contact  point,    d,  case 

contact  springs,     e,  case  cover.     L,  lever  operated  by  float. 

Water  Level  Device.  This  consists  of  a  float  inside 
of  a  perforated  brass  pipe  which  extends  into  the  tank 
at  the  water  level.  A  lever  which  is  attached  to  a  float 
and  pivoted  in  a  bronze  diaphragm  extends  into  a  metal 
box.  This  lever  ends  in  a  small  arm  which  when  in  its 
normal  position  holds  two  platinum  contacts  together. 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS  131 


A.  D.  T.  GRAVITY  TANK  ATTACHMENTS. 

Water  level  alarm  at  left.    Temperature  alarm  at  right. 
Wiring  in  conduit. 


132 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


When  the  float^  falls  the  lever  is  moved  and  the  con- 
tacts are  forced  apart.  There  is  a  telltale  on  the  cover 
to  give  a  trouble  signal  when  the  cover  is  removed. 


A.  D.  T.  TEMPERATURE  DEVICE. 

a,  high  temperature  contact  binding  post.  6,  low  temperature 
contact  binding  post,  c,  constant  contact  binding  post,  d,  screw 
for  fastening  thermometer  to  side  of  tank,  e,  thermometer  bulb. 


The  magnets  and  transmitter  are  similar  to  those  used 
in  the  pressure  indicator. 

Temperature  Device.  This  is  a  mercurial  thermom- 
eter, the  bulb  of  which  extends  through  the  side  of  the 
tank  into  the  water.  Three  platinum  wires  are  fused 


SPRINKLER  SUPERVISORY  SYSTEMS  133 

into  the  glass  tube,  the  upper  one  at  about  180°  F.  to 
give  a  signal  when  the  temperature  nears  boiling  point; 
the  middle  one  at  about  40°  F.  to  give  a  signal  when  the 
temperature  nears  the  freezing  point;  the  lower  at  a 
point  where  it  will  always  be  in  contact  with  the  mercury. 
When  the  temperature  is  normal,  that  is  between  40° 
and  180°  F.,  the  circuit  is  closed  through  the  lower  wire 
running  into  the  base  of  the  mercury  column,  and  the 
middle  wire  set  to  indicate  freezing.  If  the  temperature 
drops  below  40°  F.  the  circuit  is  broken  at  the  middle 
wire.  If  the  temperature  rises  above  180°  F.  a  short 
circuit  is  made  at  the  upper  wire.  There  is  also  a  tell- 
tale on  the  cover  of  this  device. 

The  thermometer  is  connected  to  a  triple  wound  mag- 
net. The  wire  from  the  high  temperature  connection 
runs  to  the  third  winding  and  is  normally  an  open  cir- 
cuit. When  this  circuit  is  closed,  by  the  mercury 
reaching  180°  F.,  the  magnet  is  neutralized  by  the  two 
opposite  wound  coils.  The  armature  then  drops  and  the 
clockwork  is  started.  As  soon  as  this  happens  the 
circuit  of  the  remaining  winding  is  closed,  the  magnet 
again  becomes  operative  and  raises  the  armature,  thus 
stopping  the  clockwork  at  the  end  of  two  rounds.  When 
the  circuit  of  the  high  temperature  winding  is  opened 
again  the  magnet  becomes  neutral,  the  armature  drops 
and  the  clockwork  is  started.  When  this  happens  the 
second  winding  is  opened  and  the  third  winding  lifts 
the  armature  and  stops  the  clock  after  one  round.  The 
low  temperature  alarm  operates  in  a  similar  manner  to 
the  other  devices. 

A  few  systems  were  installed  in  which  the  local  bat- 
tery circuit  contained  two  relays,  one  of  which  short 
circuited  the  central  station  pens  of  the  instruments 
and  the  other  removed  the  ground  connection  from  the 
same  instruments  in  case  the  local  battery  circuit  failed. 
This  allowed  the  gate  valve  instrument  to  send  in  an 


134          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

uninterrupted  signal  (as  all  four  instruments  start  on 
the  failure  of  this  battery)  so  that  "  central  "  would  be 
able  to  locate  and  remedy  the  trouble.  These  have  not, 
however,  been  found  necessary  and  are  not  now  being 
used. 

SUPERVISION  BY  WATER  FLOW 

One  of  the  prominent  sprinkler  companies  is  now 
working  on  a  scheme  for  supervising  gate  valves  by 
means  of  a  bell  and  indicator  located  in  the  office  or 
some  other  suitable  place.  The  gate  valves  are  fitted 
with  a  special  attachment  located  in  the  bonnet  which 
allows  water  to  flow  to  a  circuit  closer  whenever  the 
valve  is  not  wide  open.  This  alarm  is  given  in  much 
the  same  way  as  with  an  alarm  valve.  When  a  valve 
is  closed  or  partially  closed,  a  grooved  seat  is  uncovered 
and  water  flows  through  this  to  a  circuit  closer  which 
operates  a  bell,  an  indicator  and  a  red  lamp.  An 
automatic  switch  can  be  thrown  to  stop  the  ringing  of 
the  bell  but  this  is  returned  to  its  normal  position  when 
the  valve  is  opened. 


APPENDIX  I 

Alphabetical  List  of  Automatic  Sprinklers 
ADAM 

Mm.  Wauquier  et  tie,  Lille,  France. 

Upright,  valve  sprinkler  resembling  the  Grinnell  glass 
disc  in  principle.  Orifice  a  thin  metal  diaphragm  closed 
by  a  glass  disc.  The  strut  is  made  up  of  several  pieces 
and  is  adjustable.  Small  toothed  deflector. 

Not  used  outside  of  France  so  far  as  known. 

ADKINS 

Samuel  Adkins,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

1-1895.  Valve  sprinkler.  Valve  of  agate  held  in 
place  by  levers  in  the  form  of  a  triangle. 


ADKINS--1  ADK1NS-2 

2-1895.     Valve   sprinkler.     Valve   held   in   place   by 
strut. 

Both  obsolete.     Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


See  "  Automatic"  Sprinkler  Co.  of  America. 

135 


136         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

ALBION 

Greenwood  &  Batley,  Ltd.,  England. 

Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Metal  valve 
disc  held  in  place  by  toggle  joint  levers. 
Very  similar  to  the  International  Sprink- 
ler. Never  used  in  America  so  far  as 
known. 

Now  practically  obsolete.  ALBION 

ALLEN 

Made  in  Bristol,  Conn. 

1899.     Upright,    valve    sprinkler.     Metal    valve    cap 
held  in  place  by  strut.     Large  deflector. 
Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

ALLEN  AND  REED 

Allen  and  Reed,  Providence,  R.  I. 

1-1906.     Upright  valve  sprinkler  with  strut.     Cast- 
iron  frame. 

Never  used  to  any  extent. 

Rating:  Questionable. 

2-1911.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  al- 
most a  duplicate  of  the  Grinnell  glass 
disc  head.  A  few  were  installed  but 
soon  afterwards  removed. 

Rating:  Questionable. 

3-1912.     Similar   to   No.   2   but  with       ALLEN  &  REED 
strut  split  at  the  base.  2. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

Rating :  Questionable. 

ALERT 

See  Naylor. 


APPENDIX    I 


137 


AMERICAN 

American  Sprinkler  Co.,  Chicago,  III. 

1892.  Valve  held  in  place  by  hor- 
izontal arm.  Arm  held  at  each  end 
by  a  soldered  joint  pinned  to  an 
angular  projection.  Perforated  and 
.slotted  deflector.  Threaded  for  a 
f-inch  fitting. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


AMERICAN 


ASHCROFT 

Edward  H.  Ashcroft,  Lynn,  Mass. 

1886.  Valve  sprinkler  with  valve  held  in  place  by  a 
strut  threaded  into  a  nut.  The  nut  was  soldered  into 
a  recess  in  the  casting  with  low-fusing  solder.  Distri- 
bution from  four  arms  pointing  down  and  discharging 
onto  four  semi-spherical  deflectors. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

ASSOCIATED 

Associated    Automatic    Sprinkler    Co.,    2218     Vine    St., 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 


A-IQI3.     Practically  a  duplicate  of  the  International 
sprinkler  except  that  the  frame  bulges  more  at  the  top 


138          AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

and  the  corrugations  in  the  link  are  at  an  angle  of 
90  degrees. 

Approved  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories,  Septem- 
ber, 1913. 

Rating :   Standard. 

6-1914.  Similar  to  A  but  with  new  deflector  made 
of  No.  14  B.  &  S.  gauge  bronze,  containing  9  notches 
and  3  small  holes.  .  Upper  end  of  compression  screw 
practically  flush  with  'deflector.  See  page  53. 

"AUTOMATIC"    SPRINKLER   CO.    OF  AMERICA 

Executive  Offices,  123  William  St.,  New   York. 

This  company  was  formed  in  May,  1911,  and  was  a 
consolidation  of  the  Manufacturers  Automatic  Sprinkler 
Co.,  the  Niagara  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  and  the  Inter- 
national Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.  The  company  con- 
trols the  following  approved  sprinklers:  Manufacturers, 
Niagara,  International.  In  1913  this  company  started 
to  manufacture  the  Lapham  B  sprinkler  for  the  yEtna 
Fire  Sprinkler  Co.  of  Chicago,  but  it  does  not  install  the 
device. 

See  Manufacturers,  Niagara,  International. 

BABCOCK 

Patented  by  E.  F.  Steck  of  Chicago.  Assigned  to  the 
Fire  Extinguisher  Manufacturing  Co.  of  Chicago. 
Installed  by  this  company  from  1897  to  1904. 

1900.  This  was  an  upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve 
was  hollow  and  held  in  place  by  a  strut  somewhat 
resembling  that  in  the  Grinnell  glass  disc  head.  Per- 
forated deflector  located  inside  the  frame.  Under- 
writers' Laboratories  Report  in  1902  criticized:  (1) 
leaking  point,  (2)  effects  of  corrosion  and  loading, 
(3)  releasing  device,  (4)  deflector,  (5)  disc,  (6)  struc- 
tural weakness,  (7)  distribution,  (8)  solder  in  high  test 
pattern. 


APPENDIX   1  139 

A  few  thousand  were  installed  but  field  experience  was 
unsatisfactory. 

Tests  of  the  Underwriters'  Bureau  of 
New  England  between  1909  and  1912  of 
clean  heads  taken  from  the  field;  9  failed 
out  of  18  tested,  and  only  6  were  in  good 
condition.  These  heads  have  now.  been 
mostly  replaced.  They  cannot  be  con- 
sidered as  giving  good  protection  at 
present.  See  page  63. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

See  also  Steck.  BABCOCK 

Note:  There  was  a  previous  sprinkler  patented  in  1897  with  a 
toothed  deflector  located  on  outside  of  frame.  This  was  not  used 
eo  far  as  known. 

BACH 

Patented  by  N.  S.  Bach  of  Boston. 

1876.  A  rose  sprinkler  covered  with  a  cap.  The  cap 
was  held  in  place  by  four  hinged  levers.  The  levers 
were  held  together  by  a  cord  wound  around  them  and 
then  running  to  the  adjacent  head.  The  burning  of  the 
cord  opened  the  heads. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

BARNES 

Charles  Barnes  of  Dayton,  Ky.,  and  Cincinnati,  0.  Some 
manufactured  by  ./.  7.  Covingtpn  of  the  same  city. 

A-iSyp.  Perforated  bulb  head  with  valve.  Valve 
held  in  place  by  spindle  which  was  threaded  to  a  nut,  the 
nut  being  soldered  to  the  lower  side  of  the  casting. 
Never  used  so  far  as  known.  See  page  25. 

1-1881.  Perforated  bulb  type.  This  was  a  valve 
sprinkler,  the  valve  being  held  by  a  spindle  resting 
against  a  hinged  lever.  The  lever  was  held  to  the 
frame  by  a  latch  of  low-fusing  solder.  Distribution  was 


140 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


from  a  perforated  bulb  and  was  therefore  poor.  Used 
to  a  very  limited  extent.  Crude  and  subject  to  leakage; 
easily  damaged  and  clogged.  See  page  25. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 


BARNES--1 

(Section.) 


2-1885.  Long  side  lever  type.  This  was  a  valve 
sprinkler,  the  valve  being  held  in  place  by  a  long  lever 
hooked  to  the  frame  at  one  end  and  attached  to  a  pro- 
jection on  the  frame  by  a  link  at  the  other  end.  Rotat- 
ing deflector  and  valve  were  all  one  piece.  Used  to  a 
moderate  extent.  Crude  and  easily  damaged. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 


BEECH 

Patented  by  Handel  Beech  of  Oldham,  England,  later  of 
Monson,  Mass.  Bought  out  by  Dowson  &  Taylor 
Co. 

1899.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve 
was  a  semi-spherical  metal  button  and  was 
held  in  place  by  a  five-piece  strut  with 
small  "  sugar  tongs"  release.  Threaded  for 
f-inch  fitting. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report  1905, 
criticized:  OBEECR 


APPENDIX  I  141 

1.  Susceptibility  to  corrosion  and  loading. 

2.  Lack  of  sharpness  in  operating. 

3.  Possibility  of  readjustment  in  the  field. 

4.  Construction  of  seat. 

Never  used  in  this  country  so  far  as  known. 

BIRKETT 

1883.  Valve  sprinkler  with  large  hollow  perforated 
distributor.  Valve  spindle  held  in  place  by  horizontal 
bar  soldered  across  a  circular  opening  at  the  end  of  the 
casting. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

BISHOP 

John  W.  Bishop,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

Bishop  heads  were  installed  by  J.  F.  Gilbert  <fe  Co.  of 
New  Haven,  Conn.,  as  early  as  1880.  The  risks  of  A. 
H.  &  C.  B.  Ailing,  Derby,  Conn,  and  Montgomery  Yarn 
Mills,  Windsor  Locks,  Ct.,  were  equipped  about  that  time. 
Also  the  buildings  of  the  Atlanta  Exposition.  Some 
Bishop  heads  were  installed  by  Foskett  &  Bishop  previ- 
ous to  1882  and  later  the  New  Haven  Automatic  Sprink- 
ler Co.  and  the  New  York  &  New  Haven  Automatic 
Sprinkler  Co.  installed  these  heads. 

A-i87Q.     Pendent,  water-joint  or  "  sealed  "  sprinkler. 
Slotted   rotating  distributor.     Arrangement 
for  letting  out  air  in  sprinkler  pipe  to  pre- 
vent disturbance  of  alarm  by  momentum  of 
water  or  water  hammer.     See  page  26. 

1-1883.  Pendent,  water-joint  type.  In- 
terior slotted  distributor.  Cap  about  J-inch 
diameter  soldered  to  outside  of  head.  Direct 
strain  on  solder.  See  page  26. 

1^-1883.     Similar  to  No.  1  except  that  a       B1SHOP--1 
thimble  was  soldered  to  the  interior  of  the 
outlet  instead  of  a  cap  on  the  outside.     A  slightly  more 
sensitive  head.     Direct  strain  on  solder.     See  page  26. 


142 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 


2-1884.  Pendent,  water-joint  head.  Thimble  sol- 
dered to  inside  of  outlet.  Deflector  with  perforated  edge 
held  close  to  orifice  by  light  spring.  Pushed  away  by 
water  when  head  opened,  f-inch  fitting.  Direct  strain 
on  solder.  See  page  26. 


BISHOP-2 


BISHOP--2J 


25-1884.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  spindle 
held  in  place  by  thimble  soldered  to  inside  of  tube. 
Deflector  with  perforated  edge  held  close  to  orifice, 
f-inch  fitting.  Direct  strain  on  solder. 


BISHOP-21 


B1SHOP-3 


BISHOP 


BISHOP-4 


25-1885.  Similar  to  No.  2j  except  frame  was  all  one 
casting.  Threaded  for  f -  or  |-inch  fitting.  See  page  45. 

3-1885.  Similar  to  No.  2J  except  for  circular  piece 
below  deflector.  J-  and  J-inch  fitting.  Direct  strain 
on  solder.  See  page  46. 


APPENDIX  I  143 

3|-i887.  Patented  by  R.  W.  Miller  and  assigned  to 
New  York  &  New  Haven  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.  of 
New  York.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  No.  2| 
except  that  valve  stem  rested  against  shoulders  on  two 
hinged  levers.  Levers  held  together  by  link. 

4-1888.  Similar  in  shape  to  No.  3  except  that  there 
were  levers  and  link  as  in  No.  3|. 

The  earlier  types  were  subject  to  breaking  open  on 
account  of  the  direct  strain  on  the  solder  and  were  slow 
in  action.  Later  types  subject  to  corrosion.  All  types 
crude  and  easily  stuck. 

All  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Very  unreliable. 

BISHOP 

Joseph  Bishop,  Meriden,  Conn. 

1897.  Valve  sprinkler.  Metal  valve  cap  held  in 
place  by  short  toggle-joint  levers  secured  by  a  solder 
pin.  Large  toothed  and  perforated  deflector. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

BROWN 

Joseph  R.  Brown,  Bridgeport,  Conn.  Assigned  to  Auto- 
matic Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  of  New  York.  Manufac- 
tured by  Foskett  <£  Bishop  Co.  of  New  Haven,  Conn., 
and  Automatic  Fire  Alarm  and  Extinguisher  Co.  of 
New  York.  _ 

1-1881.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  In- 
terior valve  held  in  place  by  spindle  run- 
ning through  interior  guide  and  attached 
to  deflector.  Deflector  soldered  into  con- 
ical shaped  recess  in  base  of  casting.  Was 
used  to  a  considerable  extent. 


144 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


Very  slow   in  operation.     Crude   and   not   sensitive. 

See  page  30. 
Obsolete. 
Rating:     Unreliable. 

Note:  There  was  apparently  another  and  older  type  similar  to 
No.  1  but  of  the  water  seal  type  without  any  interior  valve.  Prob- 
ably never  used. 

2-1883.     Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.     Similar  to  above 
except  that  deflector  was  not  soldered 
in  place  but  was  held  by  a  strut  and 
two    hinged    levers.       Levers    soldered 
together  at  lower  side.     See  page  30. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:     Unreliable. 

3-1884.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler 
with  two  opposed  outlets.  Orifices 
closed  by  valves  held  by  a  single  strut 
bearing  on  each  valve.  Probably  not 
much  used,  if  at  all. 

Obsolete. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 


BROWNE 


BROWN   &   FOSKETT 

J,  R.  Brown  and  Wm.  A.  Foskett  of  New  Haven. 

1-1875.  Elbow  head  with  perforated  distributor. 
Sealed  by  soldered  disc  insulated  from  the  water  by  a 
core  of  non-conducting  wax. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

2-1875.  Elbow,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in  place 
by  spindle  bearing  against  cap  soldered  to  end  of  cast- 
ing. Coiled  spring  to  assist  in  opening  the  valve. 
Solder  under  direct  strain.  See  page  21. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 


APPENDIX  I 


145 


BUEL 

James  Buel,  Woburn,  Mass. 

1885.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  with  deflector  attached 
to  valve  stem.  Deflector  had  raised  perforated  rim. 
Valve  held  in  place  by  three  horizontal  hooked  levers. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

BUELL 

Charles  E.  Buell,  New  Haven,  Conn.  Afterwards  of 
Plainfield,  N.  J.  Installed  by  Buell  and  Thomp- 
son, New  York,  Buell  Automatic  Alarm  and  Fire 
Extinguisher  Co.,  Buell  Electric  &  Hydraulic  Manu- 
facturing Co.,  New  York,  and  others. 

The  Buell  system  included  dry  valves  and  alarm  valves; 
also  some  of  the  sprinklers  had  alarm  attachments. 

1-1873.  Pendent,  elbow  valve 
sprinkler.  Valve  held  in  place  by 
stem  bearing  against  a  "sugar  tongs" 
lever.  Ends  of  levers  soldered  to- 
gether and  insulated  from  casting 
by  chip  of  wood.  Flat  circular 
deflector.  See  page  24. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

1^-1884.     Valve    sprinkler    with 
valve  held  in  place  by  levers  attached  to 
fusible  nut.     Distribution  from  two  arms 
with    holes    at    upper    and    lower    side 
opposite  each  other. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 

2-1884.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler,  of 
drop  deflector  type.  Valve  held  closed 
by  levers.  Electric  alarm  attachment. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 


146 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


3-1884.  Pendent,  double  outlet  sprinkler  of  circular 
form,  water  feeding  lower  outlet  from  both  directions. 
No  deflector.  Water  distributed  by  two  opposing 
streams  striking  each  other.  Both  valves  were  held 


O 


BUELL--3 


BUELL-4 


closed  by  the  same  levers,  one  lever  being  soldered  to 
a  thin  projection  on  the  head.  See  page  46. 

Obsolete. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 

4-1885.  Pendent,  double  outlet  sprinkler  similar  to 
No.  3  except  that  frame  was  semi-circular  and  water 


BUELL-5 


B0ELL--6 


only  came  in  one  direction  to  lower  outlet.     See  page  47. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:     Unreliable. 

5-1886.     Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  with  fixed  smooth 
deflector.     Valve  stem  extended  through  deflector  and 


APPENDIX  I  147 

was  held  by  hooked  levers  soldered  together.  Used 
extensively.  See  page  47. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 

6-1892.  Similar  to  above  but  a  shorter  head  with  a 
toothed  deflector.  Distribution  defective  under  joisted 
construction.  Used  extensively.  Recent  tests  show 
this  head  to  be  unreliable.  Most  of  them  have  now  been 
replaced. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 

7-1896.  Upright  valve  sprinkler.  Hollow  valve  cap 
held  in  place  by  two-piece  strut. 

Small  scalloped  deflector. 

Never  used  as  far  as  known. 

Note:  Mr.  Bucll  patented  several  other  sprinklers  between 
1905  and  1907  most  of  which  were  assigned  to  the  General  Fire 
Extinguisher  Co.  and  were  never  used  so  far  as  known. 


BURRITT 

Albert  M.  Burritt,  Waterbury,  Conn.     Made  and  installed 
by  the  A.  Burritt  Hardware  Co.,  Waterbury,  Conn. 

1-1881.  Water-joint  sprinkler  with  per- 
forated rose  distributor.  A  thimble  was 
soldered  to  the  inside  of  the  head.  A  loose 
cap  covered  the  distributor  to  keep  out 
dust.  Crude  and  not  sensitive.  Direct 
strain  on  solder.  See  page  28. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 

Note:    The  patent,  which  was  assigned  to  the    ' 
A.  Burritt  Hardware  Co.,  also  covered  an  arrange- 
ment by  which  the  thimble  could  be  omitted  and  the  cap  soldered 
on  to  make  the  water  joint.     Also  several  other  patents  covering 
slight  variations  were  taken  out  the  same  year. 


148          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

2-1882.  Similar  to  No.  1  but  with  open  base;  that 
is,  the  distributor  was  set  a  short  distance  away  from 
the  orifice  by  metal  brackets.  Crude  and  not  sensitive. 
Direct  strain  on  solder.  See  page  27. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 


_  BURRITT-3 


3-1883.  Sensitive  or  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  spindle  bearing  against  a  lever  which  was 
hooked  at  one  end  and  soldered  to  the  frame  at  the 
other  end.  When  open  the  water  struck  the  valve  and 
was  thrown  back  against  a  slotted  deflector.  See  page  28. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 

All  three  types  used  to  some  extent. 

BUTLER 

1899.  Drawings  submitted  to  the  Underwriters'  Lab- 
oratories for  approval  by  the  National  Fire  Prevention 
Co.  of  Akron,  Ohio.  Several  features  criticized.  Never 
made  or  installed  so  far  as  known. 

CATARACT 

Patented  by  Charles  W.  Kersteter  in  March,  1903. 
Manufactured  by  the   Automatic  Sprinkler   Equipment 
Co.  of  Chicago,  III. 


APPENDIX  I  149 

A-igo6.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  with  diaphragm 
orifice.  Valve  disc  seated  on  raised  seat  and  was  held 
in  place  by  a  strut.  Large  toothed  deflector.  Criticized 
by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  as  follows: 

1.  Adhesion  of  cap. 

2.  Unreliability  of  releasing  device. 

3.  Construction  details. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 
Rating:     Unreliable. 


CATARACT--A  CATARACT--B 


3-1907.  Similar  to  type  A  but  with  a  modified  form 
of  deflector  and  strut.  Tests  showed  unreliability  of 
releasing  device. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 

CLAPP 

Joseph  Clapp,  Evanston,  III. 

Manufactured  by  the  Clapp  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.  of 
Chicago,  III. 

1-1887.  Single-arm  type.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler. 
Valve  held  in  place  by  lever  attached  to  frame  by  small 
link.  Fixed  deflector  supported  by  arm.  Used  to 
some  extent  in  this  and  a  slightly  modified  form.  Easily 
damaged.  Faulty  distribution.  See  page  48. 


150          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

Out  of  55  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories 17%  failed. 
Obsolete. 
Present  rating:    Unreliable.  tfjjBfjti^ 


i      CLAPP-1 


1^-1889.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  of  modern  design. 
Valve  cap  held  in  place  by  strut  consisting  of  several 
pieces.  Fixed  cone  shaped  deflector.  Never  used  so 
far  as  known. 

2-1890.  Similar  to  No.  1J  but  with  flat  three-piece 
strut  and  flatter  deflector.  Used  to  considerable  extent. 
Largely  replaced.  See  page  48. 

Present  rating:   Doubtful. 


CLARK   &   COOPER 

Patented  by  W.  L.  Cooper,  Spigners,  Ala.,  1903. 
Manufactured  by  Globe  Cotton  Mills,  Augusta,  Ga. 

1904.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  was  of  glass 
or  hard  rubber  and  of  spherical  form.  It  was  held  in 
place  by  a  lever  hooked  at  the  lower  end  and  soldered 
at  the  upper  end.  The  solder  joint  was  reinforced  by 
solder  rivets.  Deflector  held  by  an  arm.  Submitted  to 
Underwriters'  Laboratories  and  practically  all  features 
were  criticized.  Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


APPENDIX   I  151 

CLAYTON 

E.  S.  Clayton,  Newark,  N.  J. 
Independent  Fire  Extinguisher  Co. 

1906.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler. 
Diaphragm  with  raised  seat.  Metal 
valve  disc  held  in  orifice  by  strut 
with  a  horizontal  projection. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

CLAYTON 
COMINS 

Frank  B.  Comins,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 

188-5.  Valve  sprinkler  with  conical  shaped  valve  disc 
and  fixed  deflector.  Valve  held  in  place  by  two  piece 
lever  soldered  to  projection  on  casting. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

CONANT 

Hezekiah  Conant,  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 

1875.  Valve  sprinkler  with  perforated  rose  distributor. 
Globe  type  of  valve  used,  the  spindle  being  horizontal 
and  held  in  place  by  light  combustible  cord.  Operated 
by  burning  of  cord.  Also  knife  attachment  with  handle 
hanging  down  for  cutting  the  cord  by  hand.  Installed 
only  at  Mr.  Conant's  thread  mill  in  Pawtucket.  But  few 
made.  See  page  22. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Very  unreliable. 

COOK 

See  Kersteter. 

CROWDER 

Crowder  Bros.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 


152          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

1903-1908.  Eight  experimental  samples  submitted 
for  approval.  All  were  criticized  by  the  Underwriters' 
Laboratories. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

A-I9O9.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  • 
somewhat  resembling  the  Interna- 
tional Sprinkler  except  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  link  which  consists 
of  two  flat  plates  f  inch  wide  with 
opposed  grooves  filled  with  solder. 

Rating:  Standard. 

eROWDER«A_  j 
DALY 

M.  J.  Daly  &  Sons,  Waterbury,  Conn. 

1899.  Valve  sprinkler.  Metal  valve  disc  with  mica 
washer  held  in  place  by  adjusting  screw  passing  through 
a  horizontal  lever.  One  end  of  lever  hooked  to  inside  of 
frame.  The  other  end  held  by  fusible  strut  under  com- 
pression. Loose  revolving  deflector. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

DANIELS 

1896.     Upright,   valve   sprinkler.     Metal   valve   disc 
held  by  strut.     Large  revolving  deflector. 
Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

DETROIT 

Detroit  Sprinkler  and  Chemical  Fire   Extinguisher  Co., 
Chicago,  111. 

1903.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Metal  valve  disc 
held  by  strut  similar  to  that  in  the  Clapp  sprinkler. 
Small  slotted  deflector  attached  to  the  inside  of  the 
frame. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


APPENDIX  I 


153 


DIXON 

John  H.  Dixon,  Erie,  Pa. 

1-1903.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  and  de- 
flector in  one  piece.  Interior  spindle  held  by  guide. 
Undeveloped  experimental  device  submitted  to  the  Un- 
derwriters' Laboratories  for  approval.  Practically  all 
features  criticized. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

2-1904.  Altered  sample  submitted  for  approval. 
Practically  all  features  criticized. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

DODGE 

1904.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  cap  held  in 
place  by  curved  levers,  attached  to  a  projection  at  the 
top  of  the  frame  by  a  fusible  member.  Toothed  deflec- 
tor attached  to  inside  of  frame. 

Never  used. 

DORAIS 

Evan  Almivall  &  Co.,  New   York. 

1910.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Metal  valve  disc 
held  in  place  by  levers.  End  of  levers  held  apart  by  a 
compression  strut  composed  of  several  pieces.  Toothed 
deflector  attached  to  inside  of  frame. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


DOUBLE   LOCK 

The  Double  Lock  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co., 
Chicago,  III. 

1911.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Metal 
valve  disc  held  by  levers.  Ends  of  levers 
held  apart  by  a  compression  strut  similar 
to  that  in  Dorais.  Criticized  by  Under- 
writers' Laboratories  in  July  1911,  as 
follows: 


DOUBLE  LOCK. 


154          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

1.  Principles  of  operation. 

2.  Reliability  of  operation. 

3.  Effects  of  loading  and  corrosion. 

4.  Possibility  of  premature  opening. 

5.  Inability  to  withstand  ordinary  abuse. 

6.  Distribution. 

7.  Lack  of  uniformity  of  manufacture. 

8.  Construction  details. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


DRAPER 

1884.  Patented  by  F.   H.  Prentiss  of  Boston. 

1890.  Patented  by  A.  T.  Gifford. 

1884.  Made  by  the  Draper  Co.  of  Hopedale,  Mass. 

Interior  valve  opening  against  water  pressure.     Valve 


m 


DRAPER  .  DRAPER 

(Differential.) 

spindle  extended  to  the  upper  side  of  a  small  closed 
receptacle  with  corrugated  sides  containing  volatile 
hydrocarbon.  When  the  contents  expanded  from  heat 
the  sides  were  forced  apart  and  the  valve  was  thrown 
up  from  its  seat.  Water  distributed  from  a  flat  plate 
with  a  thin  corrugated  ring  to  break  up  the  stream. 
Used  to  a  limited  extent  and  submitted  for  approval 


APPENDIX   I  155 

in    England    under    the    name    Draper-Hetherington. 
Extremely  subject  to  corrosion.     See  page  34. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:    Very  unreliable. 

1889.  "  Differential  "  type.  Valve  sprinkler,  the  de- 
vice being  in  the  form  of  a  cross  pipe  fitting  with  a  valve 
and  orifice  at  the  lower  end.  Valve  held  in  place  by 
spindle  soldered  to  a  sleeve  entering  vertically  from  the 
top  of  the  device.  Flat  iron  deflector  supported  in 
front  of  orifice. 

An  attempt  was  also  made  to  use  bitumen  instead  of 
solder  to  make  the  device  more  sensitive.  This  was 
not  a  success  as  it  was  not  strong  enough.  A  few  were 
put  on  the  market. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 
ESTY 
William  Esty,  Laconia,  N.H.     Made  by  Esty  Sprinkler  Co. 

of  Laconia,  N.H.    Installed  by  H.  G.   Vogel  Co.,  New 

York,  and  others. 


ESTY-1  ESTY--2 

1-1895.  Plain.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Metal  valve 
cap,  with  oiled  paper  washer,  held  in  place  by  duck-bill 
levers.  Flat  surfaces  soldered  together.  Revolving  de- 
flector perforated  and  toothed.  See  page  62. 

2-1895.  Corrugated.  Same  as  No.  1  but  with  sol- 
dered surfaces  of  duck-bill  corrugated. 


156 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


3-1895.  Cone.  Same  as  No.  1  but  with  cone  or  knob 
soldered  to  outer  end  of  duck  bill. 

4-1895.  Pin.  Same  as  No.  1  but  with  solder  pin  ex- 
tending through  ends  of  duck  bill. 


ESTY--3 


ESTY--4 


4^-1895.  Same  as  No.  1  but  with  bent  wire  soldered 
over  end  of  duck  bill. 

All  the  above  types  were  experimental  and  but  little 
used.  Liable  to  open  prematurely. 

Rating:  Unreliable. 


ESTY-41 


ESTY--5 


5-1896.  Spring.  Same  as  No.  1  but  with  cavity  cut 
between  duck  bills  in  which  was  inserted  a  steel  spring. 
Cavity  filled  with  wax  except  in  the  high  test  heads. 
Solder  joint  strengthened  by  a  wire  running  under  a 
ledge  on  the  lower  duck  bill  and  over  a  groove  in  the  end 
of  the  upper  duck  bill. 


APPENDIX   I  157 

Criticized  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  as  fol- 
lows: 

1.  Releasing  device. 

2.  Solder  in  high  degree  pattern. 

3.  Disc. 

4.  Cap. 

Generally  approved  by  local  boards.  Field  experience 
fairly  satisfactory.  Not  defective  except  in  corrosive 
locations.  Distribution  unusually  good.  See  page  62. 

Rating:    Not  standard,  generally  satisfactory. 

6-1903.     Similar  to  No.  5  but  with  fixed  deflector. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Report,  1904,  makes  simi- 
lar criticism  as  for  No.  5.  Field  experience  fairly  satis- 
factory. Not  standard  but  not  considered  defective. 

Rating:    Not  standard,  generally  satisfactory. 


ESTY--6  L_    ESTY-B 

6-1912.  Similar  to  No.  6  except  no  knob  above  deflec- 
tor. Four  small  knobs  cast  on  edge  of  valve  cap  slightly 
overlapping  the  valve  seat.  Slight  change  in  solder  joint. 

Approved  by  the  Factory  Mutual  Insurance  Compa- 
nies. Not  approved  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories. 

Rating:    Not  standard,  generally  satisfactory. 

Note:  Mr.  Esty  took  out  patents  on  several  other  types  of  heads 
notably:  1903  valve  sprinkler  with  valve  held  by  two  parallel 
struts  about  1  inch  apart.  1907  valve  disc  held  by  toggle-joint 
levers  and  link  as  in  International  head.  1909  strut  sprinkler  with 
circular  frame. 

These  later  types  were  never  used  so  far  as  known. 


158 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


EVANS 

Merchant  &  Evans  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

A-IQI3.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler 
somewhat  resembling  the  International 
sprinkler.  Two-piece  metal  valve  cap 
held  in  place  by  toggle-joint  levers  and 
link.  Link  composed  of  two  flat  plates 
1-inch  wide  containing  two  opposed  an- 
gular depressions  in  which  is  inserted  a 
key. 

Approved  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in  Jan., 
1914.     See  page  55. 

Rating:  Standard. 


EVANS. 


FOWLER 

Walter  B.  Fowler,  Lawrence,  Mass. 

1884.     Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  with  fixed  deflector. 
Valve  spindle  extended  through  hole 
in   deflector    and   was   held   by   two 
hinged  levers.     Released  by  I-shaped 
piece  of  solder  under  tension.    . 

Another  type  had  a  loose  ring 
covering  a  series  of  radial  holes 
through  which  the  water  issued,  the 
water  raising  the  ring  slightly. 

A  few  of  these  sprinklers  were 
installed  in  eastern  Massachusetts. 
Field  experience  fairly  satisfactory  for  a  few  years. 

Now  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


FOWLER 


GARTH 

Garth  Co.,  Toronto,  Canada. 


APPENDIX  I 


159 


191 1.  Valve  sprinkler  with  frame 
resembling  the  Esty  sprinkler.  Metal 
valve  disc  with  mica  washer  held  in 
place  by  long  duck  bill  levers  over- 
lapping and  soldered  together  at  end. 
Small  rotating  deflector. 

GARRETT 


GARTH 


Chas.    B.    Garrett,    Cincinnati,    Ohio,      • 

formerly  of  Minneapolis,  Minn. 
Manufactured    and    installed    by   the   Globe    Automatic 

Sprinkler  Co.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

1904-1910.  Upright,  valve  sprinklers  of  the  strut 
pattern.  Experimental  samples  submitted  to  the  Under- 
writers' Laboratories  and  reported  on  in  December,  1904, 
May,  1906,  June,  1906,  August,  1906,  February,  1907, 
July,  1907,  and  May,  1908. 

A  few  of  the  1904  pattern  were  installed  in  the  State 
of  Washington  but  nowhere  else  so  far  as  known. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 


GARRETT 


RETT-GLOBE--A 


GARRETT-GLOBE  A 

1911.     Upright,    valve    sprinkler    with    strut.     Ap- 
proved in  1911  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories. 
Rating:  Standard. 


160          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

GLAZIER 

J.  T.  and  C.  C.  Glazier,  Indianapolis,  Ind.  Assigned  to 
Glazier  Nozzle  &  Manufacturing  Co. 

1905.  Small  rotating  Glazier  nozzle  with  two  radial 
outlets  at  a  slight  angle.  Perforations  in  centre  of 
casting  between  nozzles.  Mounted  on  a  casting  con- 
taining two  right  angle  turns.  Interior  valve  seated 
vertically  and  held  in  place  by  horizontal  stem  con- 
nected to  a  hiriged  lever  one  end  of  which  was  soldered 
in  place. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

GLEASON 

Elliott  P.  Gleason,  New   York. 

1888.  Pendent,  interior  valve  sprinkler  of  the  Globe 
valve  type.  Valve  opened  against  water  pressure. 


GLEASON. 

Rotating  deflector.  Weighted  lever,  connected  to  packed 
stem  extending  from  valve  to  outside  of  casting.  The 
weight  was  held  up  by  a  cord  containing  a  two-piece 
fusible  link.  When  link  melted  the  weight  dropped, 
opening  the  valve  and  starting  a  train  of  clockwork  which 
gave  an  alarm.  Not  a  reliable  type  of  sprinkler. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

In  another  type  no  cord  was  used  but  weight  was  held 
by  a  hinged  arm.  A  link  held  this  arm  to  a  projection 
on  the  casting. 


APPENDIX   I 


161 


GLOBE 

See  Garrett. 


GLOBE. 
GORTON 

English  Sprinkler. 


GLOBE.     (Side  View.) 


Diaphragm    sprinkler   similar    to    the    Grinnell    glass 
disc  head.     Approved  and  used  in  South  Africa. 
Not  approved  in  England. 


GODZE". 
GOUZE 

M .  Gouze,  Nantes,  France. 

Valve  sprinkler.  Valve  disc  held  by  lever  hooked  at 
one  end  and  soldered  to  frame  at  other  end.  Toothed 
deflector  supported  by  an  arm. 

The  Gouze  system  includes  a  water  supply  consisting 
of  pressure  tanks  normally  under  no  pressure.  Bottles 
of  carbonic  acid  gas  are  brought  into  play  when  the 
system  operates,  thus  supplying  the  necessary  pressure. 

Used  in  France  but  nowhere  else  so  far  as  known. 


162          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

GRANGER 

A.  M.  Granger,  Boston,  afterwards  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

1-1881.  Valve  sprinkler  of  elbow  type  with  rotary 
turbine  distributor.  Valve  held  in  place  by  heavy 
spring,  bearing  against  the  valve  and  against  a  nut 
held  in  place  by  fusible  solder.  Probably  not  used  to 
any  extent.  See  page  29. 

Obsolete. 

Present  Rating:     Unreliable. 

2-1885.  Valve  sprinkler  with  rotating  deflector  at- 
tached to  valve.  Valve  held  in  place  by  lever  somewhat 
similar  to  that  in  the  Walworth  head.  Lever  held  to 
projection  on  casting  by  a  rectangular  link.  Not  much 
used  so  far  as  known. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

3-1886.     Slight  modification  of  No.  2. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

GRAY 

Frank  Gray. 

Installed  by  Edward  Barr  Co.,  New   York. 
Manufactured    by    Insurers    Automatic    Sprinkler    Co., 
New   York. 

i-  About  1884.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held 
in  place  by  stem  extending  down  into  hollow  tube  and 
resting  against  thimble  soldered  into  lower  end  of  tube, 
f -inch  fitting.  Solder  under  direct  stress.  See  page  49. 

2- About  1886.  Very  similar  to  No.  1  but  with  arms 
of  frame  at  a  slight  angle. 

Both  crude  and  easily  stuck.  Distribution  faulty. 
A  considerable  number  were  installed  mostly  on  the 
Gray  dry  system.  See  page  49. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Very  unreliable. 


APPENDIX  I  163 

3-1899.  F.  Gray  and  Charles  D.  Cox  of  Chicago 
patented  an  upright  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  4-piece  strut.  Large  perforated  deflector. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


GRAY-1  GRAY-1J.  GRAY--2 


4-1904.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Perforated  de- 
flector on  outside  of  frame.  Valve  disc  held  in  place  by 
toggle-joint  levers  and  link. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

Note:  There  were  several  other  types  of  Gray  sprinklers  varying 
but  little  from  one  another.  Also  one  having  a  soldered  lever  for 
a  releasing  device. 

GREW 

English  Sprinkler. 

1900.  Submitted  to  Underwriters'  Laboratories, 
Chicago,  in  1900.  Found  to  be  inoperative  in  test.  All 
features  criticized. 

A  large  cylindrical  sprinkler. 

Never  used  in  this  country  so  far  as  known. 

GRINNELL 

Patented  by  Frederick  Grinnell,  Providence,  R.  I. 

Installed  by  Providence  Steam  &  Gas  Pipe  Co.  up  to  1893, 
after  which  time  by  the  General  Fire  Extinguisher 
Co.  Over  18,000,000  have  been  installed. 


164          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

1-1881.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  and  de- 
flector all  one  piece.  Valve  disc  seated  on  raised  ring 
I  inch  wide  in  a  thin  metal  diaphragm.  Diameter  of 
outlet  T75  inch.  Stiff  plate  under  diaphragm.  Valve  held 
in  place  by  yoke  and  lever,  the  yoke  being  hooked  under 
a  notch  in  the  frame  and  the  lever  being  hooked  under  a 
similar  notch  on  the  other  side.  Lever  soldered  to  frame 
with  no  reinforcing  key.  Later  the  end  of  the  lever  was 
bent  over  the  frame  to  "give  greater  strength.  Deflector 
had  20  teeth  or  lobes. 

A-i882.  Same  as  No.  1,  except  a  key  was  used  to 
strengthen  solder  joint.  Deflector  had  24  teeth. 

In  1883  orifice  was  enlarged  to  \  inch.  Valve  disc 
of  lead.  Seat  ring  \  inch  wide. 

6-1884.  Same  as  A.,  except  seat  ring  was  ^  inch 
wide.  Valve  disc  of  tin. 


(Section)  GRINNELL        : 

,  GRINNELL-A-B-GD  ,  UPRIGHT. 

C-i886.  Same  as  B,  except  seat  ring  was  ^  inch 
wide.  In  December,  1886,  upright  heads  of  this  type 
with  perforations  in  the  deflector  were  first  made. 

D-i888.  Similar  to  C,  except  babbitt  metal  was  used 
for  the  valve  disc  and  seat  ring  was  s\  inch  wide.  Recess 
in  deflector  for  the  valve  disc  was  f  inch  in  diameter 
while  in  the  older  types  it  was  f  inch.  Upright  heads  of 
this  type  were  also  made,  there  being  holes  in  the  deflector. 


APPENDIX  I  165 

About  1895  the  issue  C  type  was  found  to  be  defective 
as  the  narrow  seat  ring  caused  indentation  of  the  valve 
disc  and  sticking  of  the  valve.  About  ten  years  later  the 
A  and  B  types  were  rated  as  unreliable  on  account  of 
sticking  at  the  seat  and  sticking  of  the  levers.  A  few 
years  later  the  issue  D  type  was  quite  generally  con- 
demned for  the  same  reason  so  that  today  all  these  heads 
having  given  good  service  for  twenty  years  or  more  are 
considered  defective.  Nearly  all  have  now  been  replaced. 
A  few  have  opened  prematurely  on  account  of  weakness 
of  solder  joint.  See  page  39. 

Present  rating  of  all  Grinnell  metal  disc  sprinklers: 
Unreliable. 

Glass  Disc  1890.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Heavy 
diaphragm  with  ^-inch  orifice.  Valve  of  glass  and  semi- 
spherical  in  shape.  Releasing  device  in  the  form  of  a 
three-piece  strut. 


(SiELL  -{  -  GRINNELL 

GLASS  Disc.  IMPROVED. 

In  the  earliest  heads  the  strut  was  narrow  and  with 
parallel  sides.  Later  it  was  widened  and  made  bulging 
in  the  middle.  Key  slightly  changed  in  1893. 

In  1897  the  material  of  the  "  hook  "  in  the  strut  was 
changed  from  German  silver  to  bronze  and  it  was  made 
thicker.  This  was  done  on  account  of  some  breaking 
and  cracking  at  this  point. 

Some  trouble  was  also  caused  by  cracking  of  the  glass 
disc.  After  1896  annealed  glass  (with  a  bubble)  was 


166          AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

used  which  obviated  all  trouble.  After  1894  metal  discs 
were  used  in  high  test  heads.  Field  experience  satis- 
factory except  in  some  of  the  earlier  heads.  See  page  64. 

Rating:  Generally  reliable. 

Improved  1903.  Similar  to  previous  type  but  with 
heavier  deflector  containing  fewer  teeth.  Approved  by 
the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in  1903. 

Rating:  Standard. 

Picker  Trunk,  1903.  Provided  with  longer  base 
casting  and  smooth  deflector  for  use  in  picker  trunks 
and  conveyors. 

Rating:  Standard. 

Glass  Cover,  1912.  Releasing  device  protected  by  a 
glass  cover  fitting  into  a  groove  filled  with  non-drying 
compound,  in  the  body  of  the  casting.  For  use  in  cor- 
rosive locations.  See  page  79. 

Rating:  Standard. 

GUNN 

John  Gunn,  Webster,  Mass. 

1885.     Pendent,     valve    sprinkler.  H 

Drop  deflector  type.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  hinged  levers  fastened  to 
projection  on  casting  by  a  fusible  link. 

Deep  cup-shaped  deflector. 

Used  to  a  limited  extent  locally. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable.  — — ^^ 

GUNN 
HARKNESS 

Patented  by  Wm.  Harkness,  New    York.     Installed  by 
Harkness  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  New   York.     Some 
systems   installed   with  non-freezing  solution   nor- 
mally in  the  pipes. 
A-i88s.     Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  of  drop  deflector 

type.     Deflector  had  teeth  on  the  edge  and  soft  metal 


APPENDIX    I  167 

valve  disc  in  the  middle.  Valve  held  in  place  by  cross- 
shaped  strut,  the  two  horizontal  arms  being  soldered  to 
the  frame.  A  small  spring  tended  to  throw  out  the 
vertical  members,  when  solder  fused.  Threaded  for 
| -inch  fitting.  Never  used  .so  far  as  known. 

1-1887.  Similar  to  above  but  strut  held  in  place  by 
horizontal  lever  soldered  to  a  projection  on  the  frame. 
Threaded  for  -j-inch  fitting.  See  page  51. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 


HARKNESS-1  HARKNESS-2  HARKNESS--3 

2-1889.      "  L "    joint.      Smaller    head    than    No.    1 
threaded  for  ^-inch  fitting.     Valve  covered  a  hole  in  cir- 
cular diaphragm.     Valve  stem  held  by  bent  horizontal 
lever  and  small  ball.     Lever  soldered 
to  projection  on  frame  by  L-shaped 
joint.      Large    fixed   deflector   with 
teeth  on  the  edge. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 

3-1890.     Same  as  No.  2  but  with 
rectangular-shaped  solder  joint. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 

4-1894.     Same  as  No.  2  with  V- 
shaped  joint. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 

Field  experience  of  all  types  fairly     -     HARKNESS--4 
satisfactory.     Now    practically    ob- 
solete. 


168          AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

HARRIS 

Patented  by  A.  S.  Harris,  Chelsea,  Mass. 

1-1881.  Water-joint  type.  Cap  soldered  over  per- 
forated distributor. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

2-1882.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Hollow  valve 
stem  extended  to  bottom  of  casting  and  was  soldered 
to  two  small  strips  of  metal  projecting  downward. 
Water  distributed  through  perforations  protected  by  a 
loose  cap.  Never  used  so  far  as  known.  See  page  31. 

3-1883.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  with  toothed  de- 
flector. Valve  stem  extended  through  hollow  tube  and 
was  held  by  a  thimble  soldered  into  end  of  tube.  Direct 
strain  on  solder  joint.  See  page  31. 

Some  of  these  heads  were  installed  by  the  Walworth 
Manufacturing  Co.  previous  to  the  manufacture  of  the 
Walworth  head. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:     Unreliable. 


HARRIS  HARRISON 


HARRISON 

Stuart  Harrison,  England. 

1864.     Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  with  rose  distributor. 
Soft  rubber  cup-shaped  valve  held  in  place  by  stem 


APPENDIX  I  169 

bearing  against  a  solder  joint.     Solder  insulated  from 
main  casting  by  a  projection  of  hard  wood. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known  but  a  remarkably  good 
sprinkler  for  that  date.  See  page  14. 

HEATH 

Ozro  C.  Heath,  Providence,  R.  I. 

1-1881.  Pendent,  water-joint  type  with  revolving 
distributor.  Cap  fastened  to  top  of  head  by  means 
of  fusible  pins. 

2-1882.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  with  fixed  toothed 
deflector.  Valve  held  in  place  by  stem  threaded  to  a 
nut,  the  latter  being  soldered  to  a  hole  in  the  frame. 

3-1882.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  with  similar  dis- 
tributor. Cap  was  screwed  onto  a  collar,  the  collar 
being  attached  to  the  head  by  low-fusing  solder.  This 
enabled  the  cap  to  be  unscrewed  from  the  collar  in  order 
to  examine  the  interior  of  the  head. 

None  of  these  heads  were  ever  used  so  far  as  known. 

HIBBARD 

Geo.  E.  HMard,  Chicago,  III. 

Manufactured  by  Geo.  E.  Hibbard,  Chicago;  Geo.  E. 
Hibbard  &  Co.,  Chicago;  American  Fire  Extin- 
guisher Co.,  Chicago;  National  Fire  Extinguisher 
Co.,  Kansas  City;  Niagara  Fire  Extinguisher  Co., 
Akron,  Ohio. 

Installed  by  Mailers,  Allen  and  Frazier,  Chicago;  Francis 
Bros,  and  Jellett,  Philadelphia;  Macauley  Bros,, 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich.;  W.  H.  Littlefield,  San  Fran- 
cisco; Bowles  and  Warwick,  Richmond,  Fa.;  and 
W.  T.  Montgomery,  Boston. 

1-1893.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in  place 
by  two  hooked  levers  bearing  on  edge  of  valve  cap  and 
extending  around  edge  of  deflector  to  top  of  sprinkler. 


170 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 


Levers  held  together  by  a  two-piece  fusible  link  either 
straight  or  corrugated.  Fixed  conical-shaped  deflector. 
First  installed  in  vicinity  of  Cincinnati  but  these  have 
probably  all  been  replaced.  See  page  49. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 

2-1894.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Hollow  valve 
button  held  in  place  by  short  levers,  almost  on  dead 
centre,  and  two-piece  straight  link.  Hexagonal  wrench 
head.  Lower  lever  had  an  arched  lower  bearing.  Two- 
piece  fusible  link.  Seriously  affected  by  corrosion. 


HlBBARD    1. 

(Section.) 


HlBBARD   2. 


Structurally  weak.  Not  approved,  but  a  good  many  in 
use.  Field  experience  only  fair.  Age  limit  about 
reached.  Tests  should  be  made  to  determine  reliability. 

Out  of  25  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories 12%  failed,  partly  due  to  levers  being  on  dead  centre. 
See  page  49. 

Rating :   Uncertain. 

3-1897.  Same  as  No.  2  except  for  longer  levers, 
square  wrench  head,  and  heavier  frame.  Seriously 


APPENDIX  I 


171 


affected  by  corrosion  and  loading.  Paper  discs  in  some 
samples.  Caps  and  discs  liable  to  adhere  to  seats. 
Field  experience  fairly  satisfactory.  Tests  should  be 
made  on  heads  from  each  equipment  to  determine  relia- 
bility. 

Out  of  129  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 40%  failed,  partly  due  to  levers  on.  dead  centre. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 


HIBBARD  3. 


HlBBAHD    3A. 


3A-i8p8.  Same  as  No.  3  except  for  pivoted  lower 
bearing  on  lower  lever  and  temperature  and  date  marks 
usually  found  on  fusible  link.  Same  defects  as  in  No.  3. 
Soft  white  metal  gasket  under  valve.  This  is  liable  to 
stick  to  seat  and  cut  down  the  discharge  about  20  per 
cent. 

Out  of  291  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 19%  failed  from  adhesion  at  seat,  etc. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 

4-1901.  Same  as  No.  3  A  except  for  cross  piece  in 
fusible  link  and  straight  arm  levers.  Manufactured  by 
Niagara  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  only  and  used  mostly 
in  the  West.  Especially  subject  to  corrosion. 


172 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


Out  of  110  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 11%  failed. 
Rating:    Uncertain. 


HlBBARD   4. 

5-1909.  Similar  to  Niagara-Hibbard  B  except  that 
"Nia-Hib"  on  wrench  head  was  changed  to  "Hibbard." 
Manufactured  by  Geo.  E.  Hibbard  &  Co.,  Chicago.  Not 
approved. 

Rating:    Uncertain. 

1-1911.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler,  very  similar  to  Nia- 
gara Hibbard  B  except  for  fins  on 
lower  end  of  arms  of  casting  to  give 
means  for  distinguishing  the  head. 
Manufactured  by  Geo.  E.  Hibbard  & 
Co.,  Chicago.  Approved  by  Under- 
writers' Laboratories  April,  1911. 
Withdrawn  Oct.,  1912.  Manufacture 
discontinued.  Used  principally  in 
Middle  West.  HIBBARD-H&I 

Rating:  Satisfactory. 


HILL 

John  Hill,  Columbus,  Ga. 


APPENDIX   I  173 

Manufactured  by  John  Hill  and  by  Hill  Automatic  Sprink- 
ler Co.  of  Columbus,  Ga.  Later  by  Neracher  &  Hill 
Sprinkler  Co.,  Warren,  Ohio,  and  General  Fire  Ex- 
tinguisher Co. 

1890.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Oscillating  deflec- 
tor. Has  restricted  discharge  and  is  some- 
what subject  to  leakage  owing  to  spread- 
ing of  solder  joint.  Not  standard.  Field 
experience  generally  satisfactory.  Has 
now  about  reached  its  age  limit  and  recent 
tests  show  frequent  failures. 

Out  of  81  heads  of  the  light  pattern  re- 
cently tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 11%  failed.  See  page  48. 

Present  rating:    Uncertain. 

Note:  This  head  was  first  patented  in  1885  and  was  slightly 
modified  in  patents  taken  out  in  1887,  1890  and  1892.  Several 
types  were  made  varying  but  slightly  from  one  another. 

Mr.  Hill  combined  with  William  Neracher  in  1890  and  the  business 
was  moved  from  Atlanta,  Ga.,  to  Warren,  Ohio.  A  few  Hill  sprink- 
lers were  made  at  the  latter  plant.  The  company  sold  out  to  the 
General  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  in  1892. 

HOFFMAN 

Hoffman  Sprinkler  Co.,  Ltd.,  Manchester, 

England. 

Upright,  valve  sprinkler  with  diaphragm. 
Very  similar  to  Grinnell  glass  disc,  except 
that  jet  is  used  instead  of  glass  for  the 
valve  disc.  Approved  and  used  exten- 
sively in  England.  Agencies  in  Belgium, 
France,  Germany,  Norway  and  India. 

HORACK 

Chas.  L.  Horack,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Mr.  Horack  took  out  several  patents  between  1882 
and  1885  for  sprinklers  of  various  types. 

None  ever  used  so  far  as  known. 


174          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

HOXIE 

Edmund  Hoxie,  Everett,  Mass. 

1891.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler,  the  valve  being  of 
glass  and  held  in  place  by  two  large  levers  soldered 
together  at  two  points. 

Deflector  was  a  flat  plate  supported  about  half  an 
inch  in  front  of  orifice  by  five  metal  bars.  Never  used 
so  far  as  known. 

IDEAL 

Made  by  Ideal  Automatic  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa. 

1912.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  with  diaphragm. 
Metal  disc  closed  outlet  in  diaphragm  and  was  held  in 
place  by  strut.  Experimental  sample  submitted  to 
Underwriters'  Laboratories  for  approval.  Features  criti- 
cized. 

1.  Halt  or  hesitation  in  normal  operation. 

2.  Deterioration    resulting    from    corrosion    or 
loading. 

3.  Possibility  of  premature  operation  under  sus- 
tained service  pressures. 

4.  Inability  to  withstand  ordinary  abuse. 

5.  Lack  of  uniformity  in  manufacturing. 

6.  Materials  employed. 

7.  Construction  details. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

Feb.  1913.  Experimental  sample  similar  to  No.  1, 
but  with  different  deflector  and  strut.  Features  criti- 
cized all  but  1  and  4  of  the  above.  Also  normal  oper- 
ation of  hard  and  extra  hard  degree  rating  sprinklers. 

A-I9I4.  Similar  to  previous  type  but  with  key  on 
releasing  device  extending  around  edges  of  strut. 

Approval  recommended  by  report  of  Underwriters' 
Laboratories. 


APPENDIX  I  175 

INDEPENDENT 

See  Stantial. 

Independent  Fire  Sprinkler  Co.,  Chicago. 

INTERNATIONAL 

Manufactured  and  installed  by  the  International  .Sprink- 
ler Co.  of  Philadelphia.     Also  installed  by  several 
licensees  in  this  country  and  by  the  Sprinkler  Com- 
pany, Ltd.,  abroad.     Head  office  of  latter  company 
in  London.     Branch  offices  in  Amsterdam,  Brussels, 
Milan,    Calcutta,    Shanghai,    Mexico,    South  Africa, 
North  China,   Yokohama  and  other  places. 
The  International  Sprinkler  Co.  was  founded  in  1899 
succeeding  the  Universal  Sprinkler  Co.  and  installed  at 
first  the  Universal  Sprinkler.     See  page  52. 
1-1900.     Patented  by  J.  C.  'Scott. 
Upright,  valve  sprinkler  similar  to  the  Universal  No.  2. 
Link  \  inch  wide.     Cast  metal  valve  disc. 
Field  experience  fairly  satisfactory. 


INTERNATIONAL-1  INTERNA 


Criticized  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in  1902: 
(1)  Releasing  device,  (2)  cap,  (3)  solder,  (4)  construc- 
tion details. 

Not  approved. 

Rating:    Uncertain. 

A- 1 902.     Patented  by  Powell  Evans. 

Similar  to  No.  1  except  link  was  made  of  bronze  instead 
of  brass  and  projections  were  placed  on  frame  where 
link  would  touch  it. 


176          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

Approved  1902  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories. 

Some  trouble  experienced  from  those  made  in  1902- 
1904,  by  premature  opening  due  to  cold  flow  of  solder 
in  link.  A  large  number. were  replaced. 

Present  rating:  Satisfactory  except  danger  of  premature 
opening. 

A-2  1905.  Same  as  A  but  link  made  wider  Qf  inch). 
See  page  53. 

Rating :    Standard. 

B-ipo6.  Same  as  A-2  except  slight  changes  in  mark- 
ing. 

Rating :    Standard. 

Note:  Special  deflectors  are  also  made  for  aisle  lines  in  car  barns, 
one  to  distribute  in  two  directions  to  go  between  cars,  and  one  to 
distribute  in  one  direction  to  go  along  walls.  This  company  was 
bought  out  by  the  "Automatic"  Sprinkler  Co.  of  America  in  1911. 

JAHN 

F.  G.  Jahn,  New   York.     Made  by  Standard  Equipment 
Co.,  New   York. 

1891.  Pendent,  solid  head  sprinkler.  There  was  no 
valve  in  this  sprinkler  but  a  groove  was  cut  in  the  solid 
casting  at  the  point  where  a  valve  would 
ordinarily  be  introduced.  There  was  a  heavy 
lever  hinged  at  one  end  and  attached  to  the 
piping  by  means  of  a  fusible  link.  When  the 
weight  dropped,  the  lever  forcibly  broke  open 
the  head  at  the  groove.  Fixed  toothed  de- 
flector. Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

1891.     Upright,  valve  sprinkler.    Porcelain 
valve  cap  held  in  place  by  four-piece  strut,  two  members 
of  which  extended  horizontally.    Toothed  deflector.    Not 
used  to  any  extent  so  far  as  known. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


APPENDIX  I 


177 


JORDONj 


JORDAN 

Wm.  S.  Jordan,  Worcester.    Assigned 
to  Braman,  Dow  &  Co.,  of  Boston. 

1885.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler, 
drop  deflector  type.  A  large  hollow 
casting  contained  interior  guide  for 
valve  which  was  held  against  seat 
by  a  series  of  hinged  levers  bearing 
against  adjustable  spindle.  Levers 
tripped  by  the  'melting  of  a  short 
bar  of  solder  under  tension. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

KANE 

Patented  by  John  and  William  Kane  of  Philadelphia. 

Installed  by  Wm.  Kane  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.;  Univer- 
sal Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.  and  John  Kane  Fire 
Extinguisher  Co. 

W.  KANE 

1-1881.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in  place 
by  a  yoke  hooked  to  a  projection  at  one  side  of  the  head 
and  soldered  to  a  projection  on  the  other  side.  Loose  cap 
covered  the  lower  end  when  the  head  was  closed. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:   Unreliable. 

i|-i88i.  Similar  to  No.  1  except  that  there  was  an 
arm  extending  from  one  side  of  the  head.  The  yoke 
was  hooked  at  one  end  as  in  No.  1,  but  at  the  other  end 
it  hooked  over  a  lever  which  passed  through  the  arm 
and  was  soldered  to  a  projection  at  end  of  the  arm. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:   Unreliable. 

2-1882  Eclipse.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  of  globe 
valve  type.  Horizontal  valve  held  in  place  by  a  compli- 


178 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


cated  system  of  levers.     Loose  cap  over  lower  end.     See 
page  33. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


W.  KANE-1 


W.  KANE-2 


3-1888  Bulb  Root.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  In- 
terior valve  held  in  place  by  two  levers.  One  lever  held 
to  projection  on  casting  by  two-piece  link. 

Nearly  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


W. 


4-1892  Perfection.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  of  drop 
deflector  type.  Valve  held  by  levers  and  link  similar 
to  those  in  No.  3. 


APPENDIX  I  179 

Out  of  28  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 7%  failed. 
Nearly  obsolete. 
Present  rating:   Doubtful. 

Note:  In  1893  the  William  Kane  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  sold  out 
to  the  General  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  and  the  No.  4  Perfection  head 
was  made  at  the  Warren,  Ohio,  shop  of  that  company  for  some 
months. 

J.  KANE 

Made  by  Universal  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co. 

1-1892  Universal.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar 
to  Wm.  Kane  No.  4,  but  with  fixed  toothed  deflector. 

Out  of  6  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 33%  failed. 

Nearly  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Doubtful. 


J.  KANE-1 

2-1892  Universal.  Frame  similar  to  No.  1.  Drop 
deflector  similar  to  Wm.  Kane  No.  4. 

Out  of  127  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 14%  failed  from  adhesion  at  seat,  etc. 

Present  rating:   Doubtful. 

2^-1892.  Similar  to  No.  2  with  fixed  toothed  deflec- 
tor. 

Present  rating:   Doubtful. 


180          AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

3-1900.  Made  by  Niagara  Sprinkler  Co.  and  later 
by  John  Kane  Automatic  Fire  Extinguisher  Co. 

Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  cap  held  in  place  by 
toggle-joint  levers  and  link.  Liable  to  leakage.  Field 
experience  otherwise  fairly  satisfactory. 

Present  rating:    Uncertain. 


J'KANE~2!  J.KANE-3 


4-1902.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  No.  3 
but  with  levers  farther  apart.  Liable  to  leakage.  Field 
experience  otherwise  fairly  satisfactory. 

Out  of  42  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 10%  failed. 

Present  rating:    Uncertain. 


J.KANt-4  _   J.KANE-4! 


4^-1902.     Similar  to  No.  4  but  with  longer  levers. 
Present  rating:  Uncertain. 

Note:  The  J.  Kane  Automatic  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  sold  out  to 
the  International  Sprinkler  Co.  in  June,  1902,  and  the  latter  company 
manufactured  a  few  J.  Kane  No.  4  heads  until  Nov.,  1902. 


APPENDIX  I  181 

KERSTETER 

Chas.  W.  Kersteter,  Chicago,  III. 

A-i888.  Single  arm  type.  Valve  sprinkler  with 
valve  held  by  a  horizontal  lever  hooked  at  one  end,  the 
other  end  being  hooked  to  a  vertical  lever  soldered  at 
the  upper  end  to  the  frame.  Deflector  supported  by  a 
single  arm.  But  few  installed. 

Practically  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

1-1889.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  two  levers  hooked  at  lower  end  to  frame  and 
held  together  at  upper  end  by  a  fusible  link  spanning 
the  head.  Perforated  toothed  deflector.  See  page  55. 

Practically  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


KERSTETER--1  i  KERSTETER- 2  I.KERSTETER-3 

2-1893.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  strut.  Crude  in  workmanship  and  lacking  in 
sensitiveness. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

3-1898.  Manufactured  by  Niagara  Fire  Extinguisher 
Co.,  Akron,  Ohio.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  similar  to 
No.  2,  but  somewhat  larger.  Subject  to  crawling  and 
leaking.  About  30,000  made.  Many  replaced  by  manu- 
facturers. Nearly  obsolete.  Not  made  after  1899. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


182          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

4-1897.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler,  patented  by  E.  M. 
Cook  of  Indianapolis.  Assigned  to  Charles  W.  Kerste- 
ter.  Valve  held  by  three-piece  strut. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

5-1898.     Similar  to  No.  3  but  with  four-piece  strut. 

LACONIA 

See  Vogel. 

LANG  AND   MILLER 

1912.     Application  made  to  Underwriters'  Laborato- 
ries in  March,  1912,  by  Lang  and  Miller  of  New  York. 
No  sample  submitted  to  date. 

LANGFORD 

Wm.  S.  Langford,  Baltimore,  Md. 

1898.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  cap  held  by 
strut.  Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

LAPHAM 

Valentine  Lapham,  Chicago.  Made  by  Lapham  Auto- 
matic Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Later 
types  by  Johnson-Howe- Paige  Co.,  Omaha,  Neb.; 
McCrum-Howell  Co.,  Chicago;  and  Ohio  Automatic 
Sprinkler  Co.,  Youngstown,  Ohio. 

1-1890.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  with  valve  cap  held 
in  place  by  three-piece  strut  of  angular  shape.  Fixed 
perforated  deflector. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 

2-1894.     Upright,  valve  sprinkler. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 

3-1897.  Modification  of  No.  2.  Valve  cap  extended 
over  edge  of  valve  seat  with  spring  underneath. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 


APPENDIX  I  183 

4-1902.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Toggle-joint 
levers.  Experimental  sample  submitted  to  Under- 
writers' Laboratories.  Criticized  as  follows: 

1.  Releasing  device. 

2.  Effects  of  corrosion  and  loading. 

3.  Solder  in  high  degree  pattern. 

4.  Marking. 

5.  Distribution. 

6.  Structural  weakness. 

Never  on  the  market  so  far  as  known. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 

A-IQIO.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  similar  to  No.  4 
but  with  toothed  deflector,  flatter  frame  and  heavier 
link.  Made  by  Johnson-Rowe-Paige  Co.  Submitted 
to  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  and  criticized  as 
follows: 

1.  Defects  in  soldering. 

2.  High  and  variable  leakage  point. 

3.  Inaccuracy  in  construction. 

4.  Distribution. 

5.  Marking. 

6.  Coloring. 

A  few  of  these  heads  were  used  in    j| 
the  middle  West.  L  *   "UPHAM--B 

Rating:  Questionable. 

B-IQII.  Slight  modification  of  A,  but  much  the 
same  in  appearance.  Approved  by  the  Underwriters' 
Laboratories. 

Rating:  Standard. 

LYNDE 

Jas.  H.  Lynde,  Manchester,  England. 

1-1887.     Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  with  interior  toothed 
deflector  which  dropped  when  head  opened. 
Never  used  in  this  country  so  far  as  known. 


184          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

2-1893.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  similar  to  No.  L 
Valve  held  in  place  by  levers  attached  to  a  projection 
in  frame  by  a  two-piece  rivet-shaped  link.  Never  used 
in  this  country  so  far  as  known. 

MACDANIEL 

Valve  sprinkler.     Large  deflector  attached  to  valve 
disc.     Held  by  strut  with  spring  to  throw  it  off  centre. 
Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

MACKEY 

John  C.  Mackey,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.     Installed  by  Manu- 
facturers Automatic  Sprinkler  Co. 

1-1883.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Conical  shaped 
valve  disc  held  in  place  by  short  strut  bearing  against 
brass  wire  levers.  Levers  held  by  two-piece  curved  link. 
Fixed  deflector.  Threaded  for  J-inch  fitting.  See  page  36. 

Now  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


I       MACKEY-1     i       ;MACKEY~2j        MACKEY-3        [MACKEY--4 

2-1885.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Interior  valve 
at  top  of  hollow  casting.  Stem  TVinch  diameter  passed 
through  T9e-inch  hole  in  casting  and  was  held  by  lever 
bar  hooked  at  one  end  and  soldered  at  other  end.  Fixed 
deflector.  Threaded  for  f-inch  fitting.  Water  way  ob- 
structed. See  page  56. 

Now  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


APPENDIX  I  185 

3-1887.  Similar  to  No.  1  but  shorter  and  with  valve 
stem  held  by  two-piece  lever,  hooked  at  one  end  and  held 
at  other  end  by  U-shaped  piece  of  brass  soldered  around 
a  projection  which  extended  through  a  slot  in  lever. 

Now  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

4-1888.  Patented  by  M.  C.  Pierce  in  1891.  As- 
signed to  Manufacturers  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co. 

Interior  valve  sprinkler  somewhat  similar  to  No.  3 
but  longer  and  with  toothed  deflector.  Valve  of  copper 
composition  or  white  metal.  Deflector  i  inch  from 
frame.  See  page  56. 

Practically  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

Note:  There  was  also  an  upright  sprinkler  made  by  Baker,  Smith 
&  Co.,  New  York,  about  1883,  while  Mr.  Mackey  was  with  them, 
that  greatly  resembled  the  Mackey  head. 


MANUFACTURERS-!        MANUFACTURERS-^        MANUFACTURERS--} 

MANUFACTURERS 

Made  by  Manufacturers  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.,  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y.  These  succeeded  the  Mackey  heads. 
Some  patents  were  in  the  name  of  C.  W.  Silver. 
This  company  was  succeeded  by  the  "Automatic" 
Sprinkler  Co.  of  America  in  1911. 

1-1892.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Very  similar  to 
Mackey  No.  4,  except  that  deflector  was  further  from 
frame  (f  inch).  Valve  of  metal,  agate  or  glass.  Head 


186          AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

was  marked  "  Non  Corrosive."  Made  for  f-inch  fitting. 
See  page  56. 

Nearly  obsolete. 

Present  rating:   Unreliable. 

2-1895.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Very  similar  to 
No.  1  but  with  an  elongated  boss  at  end  of  threaded 
portion.  Threaded  portion  f  inch  in  diameter. 

Nearly  obsolete. 

Present  rating:   Unreliable. 

3-1896.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  No.  2 
but  longer  and  with  a  smaller  deflector.  Elongated  boss 
as  in  No.  2. 

Practically  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


MAWAOWERSJ  MAMJMCIURERS..A: 

4  OR  LONG  LEVER. 

4-1893.  Long  lever  type.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  of 
toggle-joint  type.  Valve  of  porcelain  held  in  place  by 
two  long  levers.  A  double  T-shaped  link  fitted  into  slots 
at  end  of  levers.  See  page  37.  Later  issues  had  spiral 
spring  under  porcelain  valve.  See  page  57. 

Field  experience  not  satisfactory.  Extremely  subject 
to  failure  by  corrosion  and  sticking  of  link.  But  few  now 
in  use. 

The  Underwriters'  Laboratories  have  tested  25  heads  of 
this  type  which  averaged  14  years  in  service  and  40%  failed. 

Rating:    Unreliable. 


APPENDIX   I  187 

A-i8g5.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  No.  4 
but  with  shorter  levers.  Spring  under  valve.  The  link 
as  in  No.  4  was  composed  of  a  T-shaped  piece  with 
another  piece  of  similar  shape  wrapped  horizontally 
around  the  inner  portion.  This  form  of  link  has  been 
found  defective  under  continued  strain  and  especially  if 
subject  to  corrosion. 

Criticized  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in  1902  as 
follows: 

1.  Releasing  device. 

2.  Solder  in  high  degree  patterns. 

3.  Construction  details. 

Tests  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  on  175  samples 
which  had  been  in  use  for  an  average  of  12  years  showed 
20%  failures. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


iMANOFACTURERS-B  MANUFACTURERS-^ 


3-1903.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  A  but 
with  small  boss  projecting  above  centre  of  deflector. 
Link  of  similar  shape  but  with  the  outer  part  wrapped 
over  the  top  of  the  inner  portion.  Valve  cap  rather  close 
to  frame  so  that  corrosion  at  that  point  might  cause 
trouble.  This  head  has  had  a  fairly  satisfactory  field 
experience,  but  should  be  carefully  watched  where  sub- 
ject to  any  corrosion  or  loading.  Occasional  tests  de- 
sirable. 


188          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

Out  of  54  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 9%  failed. 

Present  rating:  Fairly  reliable. 

€-1907.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  B  but 
with  bosses  at  end  of  lower  lever  so  that  link  cannot  be 
slipped  off.  Approved  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories, 
1907. 

Rating:  Standard. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  Caution,  1909. 

"  Last  re-examination  Feb.  1909  indicates  defects  in 
construction  not  present  in  samples  formerly  tested  and 
which  render  the  latest  output  of  these  devices  unduly 
susceptible  to  the  influences  of  corrosion.'7 

These  defects  in  construction  were  afterwards  remedied 
and  the  head  was  approved  unconditionally. 

MARTIN 

H.  W.  Martin,  Ilion,  N.  Y. 

1905.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  of  glass  held 
by  strut.  Toothed  deflector  somewhat  resembling  the 
Grinnell  sprinkler.  Several  variations. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

MASCOT 

Wm.  Shaffer.  T,__ 

1887.  Interior  valve  sprinkler 
of  elbow  type.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  pivoted  levers.  Operated 
by  expansion  of  wax  in  closed  re- 
ceptacle. Levers  were  pushed  off 
centre  by  small  piston  actuated  by 
expanding  wax.  Used  but  little  JMASCQT. 

if  any.     See  page  43. 

Obsolete. 

Rating:    Very  unreliable. 


APPENDIX   I  189 

MAYALL 

W .  Mayall  &  T.  Thomasson,  Mossley,  England. 

1891.  Valve  sprinkler.  Valve  and  deflector  in  one 
piece.  Valve  held  by  L-shaped  lever  soldered  at  lower 
end  to  frame.  Never  used  in  this  country  so  far  as 
known. 

Installed  in  one  mill  in  England  but  never  officially 
approved  there. 


MAYALL  McLAUTHLIL 


McLAUTHLIN 

Geo.  F.  McLauthlin,  Boston,  Mass. 

1894.  Valve  sprinkler.  Upright  and  pendent  types. 
Valve  held  in  place  by  strut  composed  of  levers.  A 
heavy  iron  case  surrounded  the  sprinkler,  which  in  the 
upright  type  was  in  two  pieces.  This  case  was  held  in 
place  by  low-fusing  solder.  A  small  chain  was  attached 
to  the  case  and  to  the  valve  strut.  When  heated  the 
iron  case  was  released  and  in  falling  pulled  the  strut 
levers  off  centre  and  opened  the  valve.  Never  used  so 
far  as  known. 

MILLER 

J.  A.  Miller,  Providence,  R.  I. 

1878.  Valve  sprinkler  with  rose  or  perforated  distrib- 
utor. Valve  opened  against  water  pressure  and  was 


190 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 


operated  by  the  expanding  of  brass  rods  placed  under 
the  sprinkler  pipes.     Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

MORRIS 

Morris  Sprinkler  Co.,  Ltd.,  London,  England. 

Upright,  valve  sprinkler  of  toggle-joint 
lever  type  similar  to  last  type  of  John  Kane. 
Submitted  to  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in 
1907.  Criticized  as  follows: 

1.  Cold  flow  of  solder  joint. 

2.  Premature  opening. 

3.  Distribution. 

4.  Marking. 

5.  Design  of  parts. 

6.  Strength. 

7.  Workmanship. 


MORRIS 


Never  used  in  this  country  so  far  as  known. 
Formerly  approved   in   England  but  approval  with- 
drawn. 

Levers  poorly  designed  and  head  often  failed. 


MORRISON  2. 


MORRISON 

Morrison  Brass  Co.,  Toronto,  Canada. 

1.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  very  similar  to  the  Grinnell 
glass  disc  head. 

2.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  similar  to  above  but  valve 


APPENDIX   I  191 

held  in  place  by  duck  bill  levers  similar  to  those  used  in 
the  Esty  sprinkler. 

Neither  type  used  to  any  extent  so  far  as  known. 

NAGLE 

Augustus  F.   Nagle,   Chicago,    III.     Assigned   to    Nagle 
Automatic  Sprinkler  Co. 

1-1890.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Interior  valve 
opening  against  the  water  pressure.  Valve  stem 
threaded  into  a  nut  which  was  held  in  a  closed  case  by 


NAGLE--1  NAGLE--2 


a  heavy  coiled  spring.  Spring  was  released  by  the 
fusing  of  two  trip  pieces  soldered  to  projections  on  the 
outside  of  the  case.  When  released  the  spring  uncoiled 
and  screwed  the  valve  away  from  its  seat.  Deflector 
was  a  flat  plate  with  raised  perforated  edge.  See  page  44. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

2-1891.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  by 
single  lever  hooked  at  one  end  and  secured  at  other  end 
by  a  three-piece  link. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:   Unreliable. 

NAYLOR 

James  Naylor,  Jr.,  Boston. 

1894.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in  place 
by  glass  strut  filled  with  fluid  that  was  supposed  to  ex- 


192          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

pand  when  heated  and  break  the  glass.     Never  used  so 
far  as  known. 

Another  type  had  a  strut  composed  of 
two  pieces  of  metal  soldered  together. 
Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

1895.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve 
cap  held  by  two  levers  set  at  an  angle 
to  the  vertical.  Held  to  frame  by  a  fus- 
ible member  consisting  of  two  thin  metal 
discs  soldered  together.  Light  and  easily 
broken.  Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


NERACHER 

Wm.  Neracher,  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Installed  by  Neracher 
Sprinkler  Co.,  Neracher  &  Hill  Sprinkler  Co.,  and 
later  by  General  Fire  Extinguisher  Co. 

A-i882.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  lever  hinged  at  one  end  and  held  at  other  end 
by  a  short  trip  lever.  Long  end  of  latter  lever  held  by  a 
plate  bearing  against  a  small  vessel  containing  paraffine 
or  similar  material,  fusing  at  about  120°  F.  Distribution 
from  four  curved  rotating  arms.  Never  used  so  far  as 
known. 

1-1884.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler,  drop  deflector 
type.  Valve  held  in  place  by  cross-shaped  strut  with 
horizontal  arms  soldered  to  frame.  Lower  part  of  strut 
placed  at  a  slight  angle  with  the  vertical.  Star-shaped 
deflector. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

1^-1886.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  similar  to  No.  1 
except  releasing  device.  Strut  consisted  of  triangular- 
shaped  spring  with  two  lower  ends  soldered  to  frame. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


APPENDIX   I  193 

2-1887.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  No.  1 
except  releasing  device.  Strut  consisted  of  one  short 
piece  and  one  long  angular  piece,  the  long  end  of  which 
was  held  to  a  projecting. arm  by  a  two-piece  triangular- 
shaped  link.  See  page  58. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


L  NERACHER--L 


2|-i887.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler,  similar  to  No.  2 
except  that  releasing  device  consisted  of  levers  extending 
over  lower  end  of  frame  and  held  together  by  a  fusible 
link. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable. 

3-1888.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  four-piece  lever.  Outer  levers  of  brass  wire 
extended  to  top  of  sprinkler  and  were  held  together  by 
a  link  similar  to  that  used  in  No.  2. 

Practically  obsolete. 

Present  rating:  Doubtful. 

3^-1893.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  No.  3 
except  that  the  frame  was  slightly  different  in  shape  and 
levers  were  of  stamped  bronze.  Unduly  subject  to  the 
influence  of  corrosion. 

Out  of  92  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories none  failed. 

Rating  :   Doubtful. 


194 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


4-1895.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  No.  3  but 
a  much  shorter  head.  Outer  levers  of  stamped  bronze. 
Toothed,  perforated  deflector.  Reliability  somewhat 
doubtful,  due  to  age. 

Out  of  30  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 13%  failed  from  tight  fit  between  links  and  parts. 

Present  rating:   Doubtful. 


NERACHER--21 


NERACHER--3 


5-1902.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  No.  4 
but  somewhat  shorter.  Frame  not  adjustable. 

Present  rating:    Not  standard;  generally  satisfactory. 

6-1902.  Same  as  No.  5  but  with  toothed  deflector. 
Hollow  valve  cap.  Approved. 

Rating:  Standard. 


NERACHER--4 


NERACBER--5 


jNERACHERA 


NEW  YORK 

New  York  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co. 


APPENDIX  I  195 

Patented  by  B.  P.  Hall  of  Fanwood,  N.  J.     Assigned  to 
New  York  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co. 

1911.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  with 
two-piece  curved  strut. 

Reported  upon  by  the  Underwriters' 
Laboratories,  July,  1912.  Features  criti- 
cized: 


1.  Deterioration  from  loading  and  corrosion. 

2.  Probability  of  premature  opening. 

3.  Distribution. 

4.  Lack  of  uniformity  of  manufacture. 

5.  Design.  NEW  YORK. 

6.  Construction  details. 

Rating :   Unreliable. 


NEW  YORK  AND   NEW  HAVEN 

Made  by  Foskett  &  Bishop,  New  Haven,  Conn.;  New 
York  &  New  Haven  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.,  New 
York;  John  Simmons,  New  York. 


- 


N.Y.&N.H.--1  N.Y.&N.H.--2 


1-1889  (December).  Mill  type.  Patented  by  V.  A. 
Harder  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Interior  valve  sprinkler  of 
elbow  type.  Valve  spindle  held  by  two  hooked  levers 
with  ends  covered  by  a  two-piece  fusible  link  similar  to 


196         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

the  Walworth  link.  Large  deflector  with  raised  slotted 
edge.  Threaded  for  f-inch  fitting. 

Practically  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

2-1889  (July)»  Riveted  lever  type.  Patented  by 
Daniel  C.  Stillson  of  Somerville,  Mass.  Interior  valve 
sprinkler  of  elbow  type.  Similar  to  No.  1  except  that 
levers  were  pivoted  and  deflector  was  smaller  with 
raised  perforated  edge. 

Practically  obsolete. 

Present  rating:   Unreliable. 

NEWTON 

Robert  W.  Newton,  Providence,  R.  I.     Installed  by  the 
inventor. 

Patents  taken  out  in  1891-1892  and 
1893  for  sprinkler  heads  that  were  never 
put  on  the  market,  so  far  as  is  known. 

1894.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Metal 
valve  disc  held  in  place  by  strut  consisting 
of  five  pieces  at  an  angle,  and  three  hori- 
zontal. 

The  horizontal  pieces  were  soldered  to 
a   flat   surface.     Deflector   had   a  raised       J£  NEWTON 
perforated 'edge.     This  head  used  was  to 
a  considerable  extent  in  Rhode  Island  and  Eastern  Mas- 
sachusetts.    After  about  ten  years  use  this  sprinkler  gave 
trouble  from  sticking,  especially  when  corroded.     Now 
considered  defective.     Practically  all  have  been  replaced. 
Used  to  some  extent  in  England. 

Practically  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Very  unreliable. 

Note:  The  sprinkler  was  slightly  modified  in  patents  taken  out 
in  1902-1903  and  1905,  the  latter  being  assigned  to  the  General 
Fire  Extinguisher  Co. 


APPENDIX  I  197 

NEWTON 
Newton  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Ltd.,  London,  England. 

Upright,  valve  sprinkler  with  diaphragm  outlet. 

Valve  disc  held  by  levers  and  link  similar  to  those  used 
in  the  International  sprinkler. 

Not  used  in  America  so  far  as  known. 

Used  extensively  in  England  and  other  parts  of  the 
world. 


NEWTON  NIAGARA-HIBBARD--4 


NIAGARA-HIBBARD 

Manufactured  by  Niagara  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  Akron, 
Ohio. 

A-IQO2.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Frame  similar  to 
Hibbard  sprinkler,  levers  and  link  similar  to  Niagara 
sprinkler.  V  joint  in  link.  Projections  on  frame  where 
levers  would  touch.  Stamped  Niagara  on  one  side  and 
Hibbard  on  other  side. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  report,  1902.  Features 
criticized: 

1.  Effects  of  corrosion  and  loading. 

2.  Solder  in  high  degree  patterns. 

3.  Structural  weakness. 

4.  Cap  and  construction  details. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 


198 


AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


A2-I9O3.  Similar  to  1902  type  but  with  point  on  link 
reversed  (pointing  inward).  Date  and  temperature 
marked  on  link. 


NlAGARA-HlBBARD  A-1902. 

Out  of  33  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 3%  failed. 
Rating :   Doubtful. 


NlAGARA-HlBBARD  A2-1903. 

B-IQO4.     Similar  to  A  but  with  more  rounded  frame, 
toothed  deflector,  and  longer  levers.     Block  tin  gasket 


APPENDIX  I 


199 


in  earlier  issues;  copper  ring  gasket  in  later  issues.  Nia- 
Hib  cast  on  one  side  of  wrench  head  and  patent  date  on 
the  other  side. 

Installed  by  Niagara  Fire  Extinguisher  Cx>.,  Akron, 
Ohio.     Approved  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories  in 


NlAGARA-HlBBARD   B-1904. 

1904.     Withdrawn  from  approval  in  1912,  inasmuch  as 
name  of  the  device  was  changed  to  Niagara  when  Mr. 
Geo.  E.  Hibbard  withdrew  from  the  Niagara  Fire  Extin- 
guisher Co.     (See  Niagara.) 
Rating:  Satisfactory. 


NIAGARA 

Manufactured  by  Niagara  Fire  Ex- 
tinguisher Co.,  Akron,  Ohio,  and 
after  1912  by  the  "Automatic" 
Sprinkler  Co.  of  America  at  Youngs- 
town,  Ohio. 

B-IQI2.     Practically  the  same  head 
as  Niagara-Hibbard  B.     Approved  by 
the  Underwriters'  Laboratories. 
Rating:  Standard. 


NIAGARA--B 


200          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

PARMELEE 

Henry  S.  Parmelee,  New  Haven,  Conn.     Made  by  J.  R. 

Brown  &  W.  A.  Foskett,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
Installed  by  Foskett  &  Bishop,  New  Haven,  by  the  Prov- 
idence Ste'am  &  Gas  Pipe  Co.  and  others. 

First  patent,  1874,  showed  a  valve  sprinkler  held 
to  its  seat  by  fusible  solder.  Perforated  distributor. 
Sprinkler  fed  by  small  pipe  until  an  auxiliary  valve  was 
opened  by  the  reduction  in  pressure. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known.     See  page  17. 

1-1874  (about).  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Interior 
valve  held  in  place  by  hinged  lever  the  end  of  which  was 
fastened  to  an  arm  by  means  of  a  heavy  spring  and 
fusible  link.  Perforated  distributor. 

Used  in  Mr.  Parmelee's  piano  factory  (probably  the 
first  automatic  sprinkler  equipment  ever  installed). 
See  page  17. 

2-1874  (about).  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Interior 
valve  held  in  place  by  a  wooden  strut  the  upper  end  of 
which  had  a  bearing  against  a  fusible  washer.  Perfo- 
rated distributor.  This  head  was  also  used  to  a  limited 
extent  in  Mr.  Parmelee's  piano  factory.  See  page  18. 

3-1875.  Upright,  sealed  sprinkler.  Brass  cap  sol- 
dered over  a  perforated  distributor.  Threaded  on  in- 
side. See  page  18. 

4-1878.  Upright,  sealed  sprinkler. 
Brass  cap  soldered  over  a  rotating  turbine 
distributor.  Threaded  on  inside.  See 
page  19. 

5-1878.     Upright,  sealed  sprinkler. 
Similar  to  No.  4  but  redesigned  by  Mr. 
Grinnell.      The    head    was    made    more     .    PARMELEE, 
sensitive   by  recessing   under  the  solder 
joint  so  that  the  heated  air  could  circulate  on  each  side 
of  this  joint.     Threaded  on  the  outside  for  a  half  inch 
fitting.     Slow  in  action  and  easily  damaged. 


APPENDIX  I 


201 


Field  experience  very  satisfactory  for  some  years.     See 
page  19: 

All  types  now  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    All  types  unreliable. 

PHELPS 

Fred  A .  Phelps,  Laconia,  N.  H. 

1-1904.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Metal 
valve  cap  held  in  place  by  a  seven-piece 
strut  in  the  form  of  a  double  rectangle. 
Soldered  surfaces  corrugated. 

2-1907.  Sample  similar  to  above  tested 
by  Underwriters'  Laboratories,  1907,  criti- 
cized as  follows: 


1.  Deflector. 

2.  Markings. 

3.  Soldering. 

4.  Strength. 


PHELPS  2. 


3-1910.     Experimental  sample  submitted  to  Under- 
writers' Laboratories,  criticized  as  follows: 

1.  Features  of  design  and  construction. 

2.  Hard  and  extra  hard  degree  solders. 

3.  Effects  of  loading  and  corrosion. 

None  of  the  types  ever  used  so  far  as  known. 


PHCENIX 

Patented  by  Jarvis  Hunt,  Chicago. 
Assigned  to  Phoenix  Fire  Extinguisher  Co. 

1-1904.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  with  diaphragm. 
Metal  valve  cap  covered  a  raised  orifice  in  diaphragm 
and  was  held  by  three-piece  strut  with  a  projection  at 
an  angle  of  about  45  degrees. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


202         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 


Upright,  valve  sprinkler  similar  to  No.  1 
except  in  shape  of  strut.  Similar  in  appearance  to  Grin- 
nell  glass  disc  sprinkler  except  strut  and  diaphragm. 
Approved  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories,  1905. 

Withdrawn  from  approval,  1909.  Manufacture  dis- 
continued. 

Field  experience  limited  but  generally  satisfactory  ex- 
cept in  the  matter  of  leakage  and  premature  opening. 

Out  of  65  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 3%  failed  from  adhesion  at  the  seat. 

Present  rating:  Fairly  satisfactory. 

Note:  The  Phoenix  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.  was  backed  by  the 
late  Paul  Morton,  his  brother  and  others.  The  company  went  out 
of  business  in  1909. 


I     PHOENIX--A :3  PIERCE       • 

PIERCE 

Octamus  Pierce,  Chicago,  III. 

Assigned  to  Underwriters  Fire  Sprinkler  Co. 

1894.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in  place 
by  four-piece  strut  of  triangular  shape.  Fixed  toothed 
deflector.  Used  to  some  extent  in  the  central  West. 
Subject  to  crawling  and  leaking.  See  page  60. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

PRENTISS 
See  Draper. 


APPENDIX  I  203 

ROCKWOOD 

Geo.  I.  Rockwood,  Worcester,  Mass. 
Manufactured  and  installed  by   Worcester  Fire   Extin- 
guisher Co.     Later  by  Rockwood  Sprinkler  Co. 

1905.  Patents  taken  out  on  upright,  valve  sprinkler 
with  single  deck  deflector. 

A-ipo6.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Metal  valve  cap 
with  pure  silver  washer  held  in  place  by  four-piece  strut 
of  triangular  shape.  Double  deck  deflector,  part  being 
over  and  part  under  the  frame. 

Approved  in  1907  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories. 

Field  experience  not  satisfactory  in  the  matter  of  leak- 
age and  premature  opening.  Have  been  practically  all 
removed.  See  page  60. 

Present  rating:    Unsatisfactory. 

Later  this  head  was  slightly  changed  by  installing  a 
lump  of  solder  at  one  end  of  the  soldered  lever  to  give 
additional  strength. 


ROCKWOOD--A  ROCKWOOD-B 


B-ipo6.  Slight  modification  of  A.  Key  placed  in 
top  of  soldered  lever  of  strut  to  give  additional  strength. 

Not  approved  by  Stock  Companies.  Used  in  risks 
insured  in  Mutual  Companies. 

Present  rating:  Satisfactory. 

C-IQIO.  Similar  to  A  except  solder  joint  strength- 
ened by  installing  a  reinforcing  wire. 

Approved  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories.  Many 
in  use. 

Present  rating:  Satisfactory. 


204          AUTOMATIC   SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

D-IQII.     Similar  to  C  but  with  single  deck  deflector. 
Approved    by    Underwriters'    Laboratories    and    the 
Mutual  Companies.     Many  in  use.     See  page  60. 
Present  rating:  Standard. 


I      ROCKWOOD-C 

RUNDLE   SPENCE 

Made  by  Rundle  Spence  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.,  Mil- 
waukee, Wis. 

I-IQII.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Almost  identical 
with  Neracher  Improved  1902  sprinkler.  No  distin- 
guishing marking  except  that  rating  and  year  of  manu- 
facture were  stamped  on  link. 

A  few  were  installed  in  the  middle  West. 

Rating:  Questionable. 

2-1912.  Similar  to  1911  type  except  that  the  letters 
R.  S.  were  cast  at  an  angle  on  the  upper  edge  of  the 
frame  and  notches  were  provided  in  levers  to  prevent 
link  from  coming  in  contact  with  top  of  frame. 

Underwriters'  Laboratories  report,  March,  1913,  makes 
following  criticisms: 

1.  Effects  of  loading  and  corrosion. 

2.  Adhesion  of  valve  cap  and  disc  to  seat. 

3.  Inaccuracies  in  high  test  solder. 

4.  Factors  of  safety  in  link,  frame  and  cap. 

5.  Lack  of  uniformity  of  manufacture. 

6.  Construction  details. 

Rating:  Questionable. 


APPENDIX  I 


205 


A  -1913.  Similar  to  1912  type  but  letters 
R.  S.  in  a  vertical  position  and  further  from 
link.  Rating  and  date  stamped  on  link. 

Approved  Sept.,  1913,  by  the  Under- 
writers' Laboratories. 

Rating:   Standard. 

RUTHENBURG 

Marcus  Ruthenburg,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


RUNDLE  SPENCE. 


1885.     Pendent,  valve  sprinkler. 

Rubber  valve  disc  of  spherical  form  held  in  place  by 
long  thin  lever.  Lever  held  to  arm  by  cylindrical  link 
of  solid  solder. 

Fixed  saucer-shaped  deflector. 


RUTHENBURG 

Used  to  a  limited  extent  in  the  middle  West.     Crude 
and  subject  to  crawling.     See  page  37. 
Obsolete. 
Present  rating:    Very  unreliable. 

SHAW 

C.    B.   Shaw,    Kirkwood,    Mo.     Made    by 

Shaw   Manufacturing   Co.,   St.    Louis, 

Mo. 

1-1897.     Upright,  valve  sprinkler  with  SHAW 

keyed  strut.     Key  released  by  expansion 
of  alcohol  or  ether  in  a  closed  vessel  with  corrugated 
sides.     Slightly  modified  in  1899.     Subject  to  corrosion. 
Unreliable  principle  of  release.     A  few  equipments  were 


206 


AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 


installed  in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.      See 
page  45. 
Present  rating:    Very  unreliable. 

SIMMONS 

/.  Simmons  Co.,  'New  York. 

Upright,  valve  sprinkler.     Practically  a  duplicate  of 
the  Stantial. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


SIMPLEX 

Made  by  Crowder  Bros.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

1902.     Upright,  valve  sprinkler.     Por- 
celain valve  cap  held  by  toggle-joint  levers 
and   link.      Criticized    by   Underwriters' 
Laboratories  as  follows: 
1.   Releasing  device. 

Effects  of  loading  and  corrosion. 

Leaking  point. 

Cap. 

Disc. 

Deflector. 

Marking. 

Structural  weakness. 

Construction  details. 


SIMPLEX 


Never  on  market  so  far  as  known. 

SMITH 

Darius  B.  Smith,  Pine  Meadow,  Conn. 

1885.    Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  of  drop  SMITH. 

deflector  type.  Valve  stem  threaded 
into  two  parallel  vertical  levers.  Levers  held  together 
by  two-piece  link.  Conical-shaped  deflector.  A  few 
hundred  made.  Used  only  in  Mr.  Smith's  own  factory. 
Gave  trouble  from  leakage  due  to  turning  of  threaded 
stem  from  vibration. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Very  unreliable. 


APPENDIX  I  207 

STANDARD 

Made  by  the    National  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,    Kansas 
City,  Mo. 

1902.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  cap  held  by 
levers  of  toggle-joint  type  and  fusible  link.  Quite  similar 
to  Hibbard  sprinkler.  Criticized  by  the  Underwriters' 
Laboratories  in  1903  as  follows: 

1.  Fusing  point. 

2.  Releasing  device. 

3.  Effects  of  corrosion  and  loading. 

4.  Structural  weakness. 

5.  Solder  in  high  degree  pattern. 

6.  Marking. 

7.  Workmanship. 

Out  of  77  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 8%  failed  from  adhesion  at  the  seat. 
No  longer  made. 
Rating:    Unreliable. 


STANDARD  SIANTJAL 

STANTIAL 

Otis  T.  Stantial,  Chicago,  III.     Made  by  Independent  Fire 
Sprinkler  Co.,  Chicago,  III. 

1895.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  cap  held  in 
place  by  strut  with  curved  projecting  member.  Report 
of  Underwriters'  Laboratories,  1903,  criticized: 


208         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

1.  Fusing  point. 

2.  Releasing  device. 

3.  Effects  of  corrosion  and  loading. 

4.  Cap. 

5.  Solder  in  high  degree  pattern. 

6.  Marking. 

7.  Distribution. 

Out  of  83  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 5%  failed. 

Used  to  a  limited  extent. 
Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

STAR 

Wm.   T.  Montgomery  of  Wakefield,  Mass.     Assigned  to 
Star  Manufacturing  Co.  of  Boston. 

1886.  Pendent,  valve  sprink- 
ler. Metal  valve  with  stem  held 
in  place  by  lever,  one  end  being 
hooked  to  casting  and  the  other 
attached  to  a  projection  by  a 
solder  pin.  Large  star-shaped  de- 
flector. Installed  to  a  consider- 
able extent  in  New  England  by  the  STAR 
Star  Manufacturing  Co.  Sold  out 

to  Providence  Steam  &  Gas  Pipe  Co.     Field  experience 
satisfactory  for  a  number  of  years. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

STECK 

Ernst  F.  Steck,  Chicago,  III.    Assigned  to  Fire  Extinguisher 
Manufacturing  Co. 

1896.     Upright,  valve  sprinkler  with  valve  cap  held 
in  place  by  triangular-shaped  strut. 
Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


APPENDIX  I  209 

STRATTON 

W.  H.  Stratton,  New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  later  of  Provi- 
dence, R.  L,  and  Hartford,  Conn. 

1-1885.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler  of  drop  deflector 
type.  Valve  held  in  place  by  two  levers  hooked  to 
frame  and  soldered  together  at  lower  side  of  head. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

2-1893.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  spindle  passing  through  deflector  and  resting 
on  a  thimble  soldered  to  frame.  All  working  parts  of 
sprinkler  protected  against  corrosion  by  a  papier  mache 
protecting  cover. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

3-1896.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  seated  on 
a  hole  in  flexible  diaphragm.  Valve  consisted  of  a 
frangible  stopper  adapted  to  contain  a  bursting  charge. 
Stopper  was  clamped  in  place  and  when  heated  it  was 
broken  into  small  pieces. 

Whole  head  enamelled  to  prevent  corrosion. 

Slightly  modified  in  1902. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

_„ 

SWAN 

Phineas  W.  Swan,  Winchester,  Mass. 

1-1892.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler. 
Valve  cap  held  in  place  by  levers  of  toggle- 
joint  type  curved  and  pointing  upwards. 
Levers  held  by  two-piece  fusible  link. 
Fixed  toothed  deflector. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

2-1895.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler  similar  to  No.  1 
but  with  slotted  revolving  deflector.  But  little  used,  if 
at  all. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


210          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

TALCOTT 

Charles  W.  Talcott,  Woonsocket,  R.  I. 

Installed  to  some  extent  by  inventor  who  afterwards 
installed  other  makes  of  sprinklers. 

1-1882.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Interior  valve 
held  in  place  by  hinged  cap,  the  latter  being  held  by 
fusible  pin.  Rose  distributor. 

Obsolete. 

2-1882.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler. 
Valve  of  soft  metal  held  in  place  by  two 
hinged  levers  bearing  directly  on  the  valve 
cap.  Levers  were  curved  and  extended 
around  bottom  of  sprinkler  where  they 
were  soldered  together.  Rose  distributor. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Very  unreliable. 

TALCOU 
TESSIER 

Made  by  Joseph  Tessier,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 

Submitted  to  Underwriters'  Laboratories,  1901.  Un- 
developed device. 

Practically  all  features  criticized. 
Never  used  so  far  as  known. 


TITAN  iJITA 

TITAN 

George  Mills  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Manchester,  England. 


APPENDIX  I  211 

1.  Pendent,   valve  sprinkler  of  drop   deflector  type; 
valve  held  by  lever  and  rivet-shaped  fusible  link. 

2.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.     Valve  disc  held  in  place 
by  strut  the  parts  of  which  are  held  together  by  a  rivet- 
shaped  fusible  piece  similar  to  that  used  in  No.  1.      Ap- 
parently easily  clogged  by  dirt  and  corrosion. 

Installed  in  England  and  many  other  parts  of  the 
world.  Not  used  in  America  so  far  as  known. 

TURNER  AND    GARDINER 

1895.  Valve  sprinkler  with  perforated  distributor. 
Valve  spindle  held  in  place  by  long  lever  hinged  at  one 
end  and  attached  to  piping  or  to  ceiling  by  a  spring  and 
cotton  cord. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

UNIVERSAL 

Universal  Automatic  Sprinkler  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
John  Kane,  General  Manager.  Later  reorganized 
as  the  International  Sprinkler  Co.  This  company 
previously  installed  the  J.  Kane  sprinklers  No.  1 
and  No.  2. 


UNlVERSAL-1  UNIVERSAL--2 

1-1896.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in 
place  by  straight  strut.  Perforated  and  toothed  deflec- 
tor. 

Not  used  so  far  as  known. 


212          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

2-1899.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Similar  to  No.  1 
except  valve  cap  held  by  levers  of  the  toggle-joint  type 
with  link. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

Note:  There  was  also  a  sprinkler  similar  to  No.  1,  but  with  an 
irregular-shaped  three-piece  strut,  invented  by  Robert  Wood.  Never 
used  so  far  as  known. 

UP-TO-DATE 

Made  by    U.  T.  D.  ( Up-to-date)   Sprinkler  &   Supply 
Co.,  Chicago,  III. 

1899.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  cap  held  in 
place  by  strut.  Small  smooth  deflector. 

Criticized  by  Underwriters'  Laboratories,  1905,  as 
follows: 

1.  Crude  workmanship. 

2.  Subject  to  crawling  and  leakage. 

3.  Distribution  faulty. 

Out  of  134  recently  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories, 7.4%  failed  from  adhesion  at  seat  and  lack  of 
motive  power. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


UMO-PATE  LACONIA 

OR  VOGEL. 
VOGEL 

Made  by  H.  G.  Vogel  Co.,  New  York. 

1904.     Upright,  valve  sprinkler.     Valve  cap  held  in 
place  by  double  strut.     Fixed  toothed  deflector.     Two 


APPENDIX  I  213 

horizontal  projections  on  casting  just  above  threaded 
portion.  Experimental  sample  criticized  by  Under- 
writers' Laboratories  in  1904  as  follows: 

1.  Structural  weakness. 

2.  Soldered  struts. 

3.  Spring. 

4.  Distribution. 

5.  Markings. 

6.  Construction  details. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known  in  America. 
Approved  in  England  under  the  name  Laconia,  but 
not  used  there  to  any  extent. 

WALWORTH 

Patents  by  C.  C.  Walworth  and  0.  B.  Hall  of  Boston. 
Made  and  installed  by  Walworth  Manufacturing 
Co.,  Boston.  Patents  were  taken  out  in  Feb.,  1883, 
and  July,  1883,  by  C.  C.  Walworth  on  experimental 
samples  that  were  never  used  to  any  extent. 


WALWORTH-1  WALWORTH-2 


1-1883  (October).  Soldered  arm  type.  Patented  by 
C.  C.  Walworth  and  0.  B.  Hall.  Pendent,  valve  sprink- 
ler. Valve  held  by  stem  resting  against  a  rocker  arm 
lever.  Long  arm  of  lever  soldered  to  frame.  Not  a 
sensitive  head. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:   Very  unreliable. 


214         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

2-1883.  Solder  link  type.  Similar  to  No.  1  except 
that  whole  deflector  dropped  when  head  opened.  Long 
arm  of  lever  held  to  a  projection  on  frame  by  an  all- 
solder  link.  This  link  caused  leakage  by  stretching  and 
later  a  two-piece  metal  link  was  used.  See  page  36. 

Obsolete. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable. 

2  A-i883.  Drop  deflector  type.  Similar  to  No.  2  but 
with  link  composed  of  two  U-shaped  pieces  of  brass 
soldered  together. 

Rating :    Unreliable. 


WALWORTH-3  WALWORTH-4  WALWORTH-5 


3-1885.  Soldered  deflector  type.  Pendent,  valve 
sprinkler  similar  to  No.  2  except  that  deflector  was  large 
and  stationary.  Valve  disc  passed  through  hole  in 
centre  of  deflector.  There  were  several  slight  modifica- 
tions of  this  sprinkler  and  in  later  types  a  link  was  used 
in  which  the  two  parts  were  placed  side  by  side  instead 
of  one  being  entirely  within  the  other.  See  page  36. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

4-1888.  Ordinary  type.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler. 
Similar  to  No.  3  but  with  a  smaller  and  smoother  deflec- 
tor. Hexagonal  casting  for  wrench  just  below  threaded 
portion.  See  page  61. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


APPENDIX  I 


215 


5-1888.  Upright,  spring  type.  Similar  to  No.  4  but 
arranged  to  be  placed  upright.  Steel  spring  tended  to 
force  valve  open  when  link  melted.  Practically  obsolete. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


WALWORTH-6 


WALWORTH-7 


6-1892.  Smooth  deflector  type.  Upright,  valve 
sprinkler.  Valve  cap  attached  to  a  hinged  lever,  the 
upper  end  of  which  was.  held  to  a  projection  on  the  cast- 
ing by  a  fusible  link.  Small  smooth  deflector.  Poor 
distribution.  Nearly  obsolete.  See  page  61. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


WAL 


WALWORTH-9 


7-1894.  Ordinary  upright  type.  Similar  to  No.  6 
but  with  perforated  deflector. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

8-1898.  Improved  pendent  type.  Similar  to  No.  6 
but  with  improved  toothed  deflector,  more  clearance 
of  levers,  etc. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 


216          AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER   PROTECTION 

9-1899.  Improved  upright  type.  Similar  to  No.  7  but 
with  toothed  deflector  and  more  clearance  of  moving  parts. 

Present  rating:    Unreliable. 

Note:  There  are  several  other  minor  variations  of  the  above 
types.  Most  of  the  Walworth  heads  made  after  1892  had  double 
links  as  a  safeguard  against  crawling  of  solder  in  the  single  link. 
These  were  generally  wired  together  so  that  the  outer  one  would 
not  slip  off.  A  few  were  wired  at  the  side  instead  of  at  the  end,  thus 
binding  the  moving  parts  of  the  link  together  and  causing  failure 
to  operate. 

Melting  points  of  many  of  the  high  test  patterns  were  irregular. 
Walworth  heads  had  a  satisfactory  field  experience  up  to  1912,  when 
tests  showed  them  to  be  unreliable. 

Out  of  about  1500  tested  by  the  Underwriters'  Bureau  of  New 
England  between  1911  and  1914,  30  per  cent  failed. 

They  are  now  gradually  being  replaced. 

WESTON 

A.  L.  Weston,  Adams,  Mass. 

1899.  Upright,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  cap  held  by 
rectangular  strut  composed  of  several  pieces  soldered 
together  and  with  a  concealed  spring. 

Report    of    Underwriters'    Laboratories, 
1902,  criticized: 

1.  Fusing  point. 

2.  Structural  weakness. 

3.  Releasing  device. 

4.  Cap. 

5.  Solder  in  high  degree  patterns. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 
WHITING  WESTON. 

Francis  Whiting,  Chelsea,  Mass. 

1881.  Pendent,  water-joint  type.  Perforated  dis- 
tributor, fan  shape  in  cross  section.  Cap  soldered  to 
flanged  edge.  Used  to  some  extent  about  1884.  Sold 
out  to  Burritt  Hardware  Co.  of  Waterbury,  Conn. 

Obsolete.     Not  a  sensitive  type.     See  page  28. 

Present  rating:  Unreliable. 


APPENDIX  I  217 

WILBER 

W ilber  &  Son,  Bolton,  England. 

1889.  Pendent  sprinkler.  Valve  disc  held  in  place 
by  levers  soldered  together.  Water  distributed  from  a 
circle  of  holes  discharging  onto  a  loose  toothed  ring. 

Not  used  in  this  country  so  far  as  known. 

WILSON 

W.  A.  Wilson. 

1882.  A  large  thimble-shaped  cap  fitted  over  an  ori- 
fice and  was  held  in  place  by  a  strap  of  thin  metal  con- 
taining a  fusible  joint. 

Never  used  so  far  as  known. 

WITTER 

Witter  &  Son,  Bolton,  England. 

i.  Pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve  held  in  place  by 
lever  hooked  to  frame  at  each  end  and  with  adjusting 


:WITTER.E 


screw  passing  through  the  centre.  Fusible  joint  consisted 
of  two  flat  angular  parts  pivoted  at  top  and  soldered 
together  at  lower  end.  Spring  under  valve  disc. 

£-1906.  Upright  or  pendent,  valve  sprinkler.  Valve 
disc  held  in  place  by  strut.  Spring  under  valve  disc. 

Not  used  in  America  so  far  as  known. 

Used  extensively  in  England  and  other  countries. 


218         AUTOMATIC  SPRINKLER  PROTECTION 

WOOD 

Robert  Wood,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

1896.  Mr.  Wood  while  with  the  Universal  Sprinkler 
Co.  of  Philadelphia  invented  several  sprinklers.  The 
frame  of  the  Universal  sprinkler  was  used  but  the  valve 
discs  and  releasing  devices  were  of  several  patterns,  most 
of  which  resembled  those  used  in  other  sprinklers. 

None  of  these  were  ever  used  so  far  as  known. 


163215 


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